December Meeting and the Ronald McDonald House

Like last year, we figured we'd try to do the Angel Tree thing again. It's relatively easy to do and affordable for a group our size.

For those new to the Angel Tree - Basically there are "Angel Trees" up at Colonial Mall with individual kids' Christmas list on them. We pick a kid's list and try to fulfill their Christmas wishes. Each list includes the child's age, clothes sizes, and a few toys they want. The lists can range pretty widely in terms of costs as some kids will request PS2's or XBox's, but there are other ones with more affordable requests. Last year I believe we managed to do pretty well for the kid we chose as we got everything on his list and of course then we threw in a Star Wars toy since that's what we do. The gifts are given anonymously and delivered to the Salvation Army after we've purchased them. When I dropped off the toys last year and walked into the "holding area" for all the toys, it was just incredible how packed that room was. I've never seen so many bikes in one place in my life!

So anyway, we want to do it again this year. I'll swing by and pick up an "angel" from a tree shortly and then we can set up a day for shopping and use that as our meeting for December. As usual, this is a "contribute what you feel" sort of thing. There is no requirement for how much you want to give or that you even have to participate. The holidays can be tight financially, so I don't want anybody to feel they have to do this. I will be keeping finances in mind when I pick the "angel" as I'd like to be able to fulfill their entire list in an affordable manner.

BTW, I'll be in Vegas until next Thursday so it'll probably be next weekend before I pick the angel.

 

Well, my leg is much better now and I'm driving again. Will be nice to get out and meet with you guys again. Let me know when and where and I'll do my best to make it.

 

When do we want to meet to go shopping. I noticed that WalMart had a tree with names on it also. (One stop shopping). Of course, meeting at the mall is always fun too. Just hanging out with you guys is a great ways to celebrate the holidays.

By the way,

Merry Christmas, Happy Haunika (sp), etc...

Happy Holidays everyone!

Kevin H.

 

I just got back in town Thursday morning, though I spent most of the day sleeping, trying to get adjusted back to the east coast. But I definitely came back with more money than I left with!

I've definitely got to get some shopping done in the next day or two since Angela will be off, so I'll try to find an angel then. I'll post here when I get it and we can try to get something done quickly!

 

Instead of picking an Angel from the tree, how about we get some toys for the Ronald McDonald house. I got an email from a friend of mine who works there.

As many of you know I have started working at the Ronald McDonald House this past year full time. We offer a place to stay for families of children in the hospital in Greenville. We rely heavily on donations from the community and ask for a minimal contribution from the families who stay here. Some families may be here for a night and some are here for months. As you can imagine, this can be a financial hardship and make it difficult to provide anything for the holidays. In years past, we have had a "Santa Room" dedicated in the house where families could pick out toys for their children in the hospital as well as their siblings. Unfortunately, our donations have run a bit low this year and we have not been able to open the room up.

I know this year has been tough for many people around the world and we have been often called upon for help and donations. I ask that if you can spare some time, please think of some of these children.

We can use: (please new, unwrapped)
Preemie hats, booties, clothing etc. *
Infant toys*
Clothing for all ages
CD Players
dolls and doll clothing
Teen Jewelry*
Teen Perfume, personal items*
children's videos/dvds
hats, gloves, scarves
puzzles
games/cards
bicycles
gift certificates

*We have very few of these items.

You can drop off your donations at the Ronald McDonald House in Greenville 549 Moye Blvd--actually on a Child's Way across from the Brody School of Medicine from 8am-8pm. The number is 830-0062.

Thank you for your time.

Happy Holidays!
Kim Kazda

I know we can do this guys and gals. I pledge at least $20. Looks like the could use just about anything that is new. We can deliver as a group and take pictures in front of the house for our scrapbook.

Kevin H.

 

This sounds fine to me. I was out this morning finally running some errands and the deadline for the the Angel Tree drop off is Thursday. I'm pretty sure we won't be getting together before then, so donating to the Ronald McDonald house would work out much better I'm sure.

Who is available to shop this weekend? I'm available either Saturday or Sunday, most anytime I believe.

 

Anytime is fine with me. Let's see what Robby and April and the others have to say.

 

I would love to participate as well. I will just drop off gifts at the Ronald McDonald House since I will be out of town with my family. I would love to get together with all but as you know holidays are difficult. I would love to see the pictures. Until the meeting in January...

 

I can do it before 11:30 on Saturday. If it is after that, I'll have to bring the kids. I am available Saturday until 5pm (have to go see my wife's family after that). On Sunday, I can do something in the morning and up until 2pm.

Let me know.

Kevin H.

 

Guys, I know this is a dissappointment but I'm a little under the weather this week. Figures, my leg finally gets better and now I've come down with a cold or some kind of virus. Doubt I'll be out at all this weekend. I may go to work Saturday for a bit if I feel like it but I work in the office by myself so I won't come in contact with anyone. I don't want to get any of you guys sick though. Would it be possible for me to send you guys some money and let you do the shopping for me?

 

How does 2pm on Saturday sound? (We can help with the kids, Kev). I just found out my sister and niece are in a Christmas program on Sunday, so I'll likely be in Blounts Creek all day.

Since the list of needed items is pretty specific, it should not take long on the shopping trip. Does TRU sound like a good place to do this? It seems to have most everything on the list. Walmart would obviously work also, I just hate Walmart during daylight hours.

KG - You can settle up with with us whenever you get a chance. If you can't go this weekend, shoot me a PM with how much you want to chip in and we'll take care of it.

So in closing . . .

What: Shopping for donations for the Ronald McDonald House
When: Saturday, Dec. 17 @ 2pm
Where: Toys 'R Us
Why: Because it's the holidays, and that's how we roll . . .

Yea's? Nay's? OK's? Let us know if you're in or out or have a better idea . . .

 

april and I will haveta send money. I have a bit set aside to make up for last year, and some for this year. we both have work at the hellhole job saturday. if we go anywhere it will be looking for a new job.
sorry

KG hope ya feel better man.

 

Will miss you Robbie, April, Kevin and Kevin G (get feeling better).

I am available on Saturday at 2pm for TRU.

What if we could deliver on Monday evening to Ronald McDonald house, would some of you be able to make it?

Kevin H.

 

I'm cool with delaying delivery a bit so several of us can be there for it. I'm fine for Monday evening.

 

Thanks to everyone that participated in our Christmas charity event this year. As usual, it was well-planned out, then the holidays kicked in and everybody got busy, but we somehow pulled something together and have managed to do something nice for somebody else for the holidays. So all's well that ends well.

We got a pretty nice haul of items to be donated to the local Ronald McDonald House. I'll share a few photos later, but just for those who could not make the shopping trip, here are some things we managed to get:

Several outfits for boys and girls, ranging from infant to roughly 3-4 year olds
Small remote control cars
Mini Cabbage Patch Kids with pets
Bionicles
The Thing Giant Crushing Hands
Plastic Bowling Ball & Pins Set
and of course the required Star Wars item: Darth Tater

I'm pretty sure there was another item or two, but the stash is still in my car trunk so I don't have it in front of me. Once again, thanks for everybody who kicked in to make this happen. If anybody would like to be there, I'll be heading over to the Ronald McDonald House on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 5:15pm to drop off the items. Thanks to Kevin H. for lining this up and working with the folks at the RMH to make this happen.

 

Good deal, Dalton. I sent ya a PM and I'll follow thru with that next time I see ya. Thanks again.

 

However you want to work it is fine Q. I responded to your PM with what I'll be up to on Christmas, so you can do whichever you want.

 

Just to stick a final bow on this -- Kevin H., Kevin G., and I were at the Ronald McDonald House on Wednesday Dec.21st to drop off the donations. We got a tour of the house and saw the room where all the donations were being housed. Each family in the house was going to be allowed to go through the gift room and select four gifts for each child. Believe me, these families were gonna have plenty to choose from! We snapped a few pics that we'll share later! Thanks again to everyone for helping out with this!

 

Just to let you know. I recieved a wonderful card from one of the directors of the Ronald McDonald House given to the Emerald City Empire. I will make sure it gets to Dal for archiving. They made the mention that they would love to have us come in costume sometime. Let me know if you want to do this. I know Dalton fits my Vader, Robby has his Stormtrooper and I am trying to finish my Sandtrooper armor. I have an officer's uniform and I beleive VSWADER and his family have Jedi Costumes.

Kevin H.

 

I would like to but I haven't gotten with 501st Ernie yet to finish the TK. I am just starting back work/school so hopefully I can contact him and set up sometime to finish it soon before stellarcon.