Twas the night before Christmas when all should be happy
Problems arose between mama and pappy
Things went pear shaped and turned helter skelter
But we escaped safe, went and stayed in a shelter
When mama was worried about where we would live
Us kids wondered if Santa would give
to those in a shelter on Christmas Eve
There wasn’t a chimney or our own tree where he could leave
the presents or stocking in this strange place
and as sad as we may be we won’t let Mama see it on our face
because we know she is doing the best that she can
to make a new life for us and start again. ...
On Christmas morning Santa had found us
The Patchwork Angels gave him our address
The people of Red Deer knew we were in here
and made sure Santa found us to spread his good cheer!
I’m Angie Garcia, The Executive Director for The Patchwork Angels. We started the Wrap a Child in Love Christmas campaign in 2011with total success each year, but this year I felt compelled to give a HUGE shout out of gratitude to the community of Red Deer for their amazing donations and helping raise awareness of homelessness in Red Deer.
In October and November, we had read that all donations to charities were down by quite a bit. Since The Patchwork Angels were a small fish in a huge charity pond here, for about 10 seconds I was worried we wouldn’t be able to fulfil our commitment for this year.
Then I remembered where I live!
Red Deer has a magical gift, especially during the holiday season, that brings the community together when help is required. I have seen it over and over through the years.
It’s a hard year for everyone; yet the community of Red Deer knows some have it harder than others and doesn’t hesitate to put those extra dollars to a worthy cause in helping others — that’s what a community does!
Congratulations Red Deer for being a community above the rest!
Thank you from The Patchwork Angels with love and light to all the 2014 Wrap a Child in Love Christmas campaign contributors: the Red Deer Express, the Red Deer Advocate, Bec Dent and Hot 105, Ashley Johansen and Red Deer Emergency Services, Bill Mercer family, Vanessa Dunning, Daphne Dunbar, Ashley Munday family, Dustin and Meagan Seaward, Megan Andruik, Kiara Simoneau, Carissa and the Retire First group with the Exelta Cheer Team, Marilyn Wattenbarger family, local author Elaine Maddex, Cindy Shelfoon, Linda Bradley, Marion Russell, Rosemary Strand, Norma Cole and Betty, Red Deer County employees, Kynan Garcia, Sobeys South Bakery team: Debbie Lee, Anna Morrow and Wendy, Liz Nicholason, Chris Morosor, Kevin Allison from MGM Ford for the use of the delivery vehicle!
Angie Garcia
thepatchworkangels.yolasite.com
Red Deer