HOW AND WHY DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED AT THE CHILD CENTER?
For years, I answered the "Dear Santa" letters that are sent in droves to the post office. One year, I received a letter that happened to be signed by two brothers affiliated with The Child Center. It was just a couple of days before Christmas so the only way we could make sure the kids got the gifts in time was to deliver them directly to The Child Center.
When we got there, we found out that The Child Center was in the middle of their annual toy drive and still needed presents for about 60 teens. The next day, the staff at my law firm contributed funds to purchase all the gifts…we bought out the teenage gift section. That was my introduction to The Child Center
When I saw how big The Child Center actually is and how many services they provide for children and families at risk, my involvement grew…since then during our best year, my law firm bought, wrapped and delivered toys for 1800 children and teens. And one year we sponsored nearly 500 children through The Child Center’s Sponsor-a-Child Program. I became a board member after the second year of covering gifts.
WHY SHOULD OTHERS GET INVOLVED?
The Child Center really cares…they’re in communities that are not flashy and doing it because there’s a real need. They are determined to reach out to these communities, many with new immigrants, in their own languages because they are more likely to be accepted and succeed.
The more people who become involved, the more kids we can reach. The result will be more contributing members of society who pay it forward. It’s healthier for everybody.