I hope nobody objects to this post. Just wanted to share with my brug friends some Louisiana traditions, and giving by a group of warm-hearted, wonderful people.
Each year an annual tradition of the hospital is to give it's employees a Christmas party at Celebrations in Leesville. In turn, each employee brings two gifts, one boy & one girl gift to be donnated to the annual Toy's for Tot's Drive.
The photo below is of our Christmas tree at Celebrations with a few of these donated toys. Before the night was over toys spilled out all over the floor around the tree and even stacked on top of other toys. 100's of toys were donated the night of this party.
I'd like to take this time to ask that all to please remember to give to the Toy's for Tot's program in your area. It's a wonderful program that brings joy and warmth to the hearts of many, many little ones on Christmas morning.
Christmas Traditions & Giving
Sorry, I forgot to post photo of our Christmas tree. Then my computer started freezing up and couldn't post. Finally, I sent to Trish Ann for her help on completing this post.
Another tradition at Christmas time is incorporating the Piroque (pronounced Pee-Row), not only into our holiday themes, but other events as well. The photo below is of a Piroque filled with ice, decorated with parsley around the sides, the loaded with layers of large, boiled shrimp. Topped off with a pretty Christmas arrangement.
The person best known for incorporating the use of a piroque into his caterings is Theo, owner of Hickory Smoke House in DeRidder & Ft. Polk. Theo catered the hospital employee party/ Toy's for Tot's Drive.
Another view of the piroque
Another tradition of the hospital is to invite the older gentleman in white hat. He's close to 80 yrs. old and stays young at heart & fit by dancing. At any given weekend you can find him partying with the younger crowd, and dancing until the doors close in the early morning hours.
This is my "baby", my 18 year old son Terry, with his Aunt Brenda, owner of Celebrations. Terry has helped with the Toy's for Tot's Drive since he was a little guy. He really gets enjoyment out of putting smiles on the little ones faces. It's been our family tradition for 25 yrs. to purchase toys for the Toy's for Tot's Drive.
We do toy drive here also..
we also have what we call le dia de los ninos..(day of the children) That will be this coming Sat. It is held at a local park, Santa along with Mrs. Santa show up in a firetruck..
We give out goodie bags and a toy for every child that comes. We have drawings for 10 free bikes and other large item toys and games , free games , we also have pinatas set around the park for the kids.. Santa has lots of helpers.. The goodie bags have an apple, orange, pecans and candy.
This message was edited Dec 14, 2008 10:01 AM
Elva, that sounds beautiful! I love the theme "Day of the Children". Please post some pictures Saturday. It's so nice to see hoilday traditions from all over the world & here in the states. So many wonderful, giving people.
These two are best friends, family & employees of the hospital. Donna, on the left is my son's Aunt, and is one of the sweetest people I know. It's her tradition to give not only at Christmas, but all year long.
I hope you all enjoyed seeing a few faces from Louisiana, and hearing about the hospitals annual tradition of giving, not only to it's employees, but the Toy's for Tot's Drive as well. A wonderful, loving group of people.
The only thing missing that night was my daughter Cheri, sisters Trish Ann, Paula, & Misty, & nieces:Carrie, April, & Nikki....all now live in Tx.
More dancing
What a wonderful thing to read and hear about.. I love seeing and hearing about people who give to children who can't help the situation they are in, and I Know the joy of playing Santa to children in halfway houses with their mothers.. giving at christmas is nice, but the ones who give all year long are the ones who truly bless the world..
This message was edited Dec 12, 2008 11:12 PM
Trish, thank you for taking the time to post all the above messages & photo's for me when my computer froze-up. Hugs!!
Debra, Thank you so much for commenting. Our doctors, nurses, Physical Therapist, Respiratory Therapist, & office staff really enjoy this toy's for tot's donation each year....I rather think they enjoy the giving more than the party. A beautiful group of kind-hearted people from our area hospital.
I've done some volunteer work but never donated my time to the halfway houses. I've heard the situations are sad and highly stressful. It takes a special person to work in those types of conditions....Your a blessing to your community and to be admired for that sort of volunteer work. Your in the position to really touch lives, give hope, and show a kindness. Sounds like your one of those that give all year :)
Children are never in control of their lives or situations.. it is always a sad thing to see a child who is forced into the realities of adulthood at such early ages.... imagine a 6 year old having to care for her baby brother because "mom" is passed out cold from drugs or drink, or the 10 year old who watches his /her parents fistfight to the point of an ambulance and police intervening.. where is Santa Claus? The Easter Bunny? Peter Pan? So many children right here in our united states never even get a story read to them... let them see flowers or feed geese in a park.. The halfway houses I visit and support are always full of children who are just "stuck" with their momma... in that place, and all I can do is let them know that "yes , Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus " to give them faith and a sense of hope. I do not counsel these women, but I do solicit businesses for their behalf to hire them, but alas, they ususally lose their jobs by doing the same thing that landed them in the facility to begin with. frustrating. Toys for Tots is an awsome organization... we have huge bins filled with toys at our place of business.. I am proud of the people I work with.. we also give to the Lords' Diner.. where over 1100 meals a day are served to the homeless and penniless people. sorry to barge in on this thread..
Debra, Glad you posted and don't consider your post as a barge in. It's nice to hear about your kindness to others, helping not only the little ones but moms as well. It's sad how some let alcohol & substance abuse take over.
I have to say, you are a Godsend to those families.....it's something I could not cope or deal with... seeing all those abused, neglected little ones. I work at a Behavorial Center and for the most part my patients have addiction problems.....the stories I've heard from some will make you ill. The sad fact about these people from my observation, only a small percent will ever live a happy, normal, productive life.
You'll have many blessings for all your good deeds & kindness.
Dollie, this is a wonderful thread. The pics are great too!
Here, we also have what we call "Coats for Kids" for the less fortunate children that can use a warm winter coat.
Theresa, I love the Coats for Kids programs, we have that too here... it's amazing how many little children do not have warm clothing or coats for the cold weather.. I have seen children being dragged around in the freezing weather with nothing but long sleeved shirts on.. we donate all our coats to the halfway houses here... I do have a success story.. I mentored a young mother coming out of halfway house and reintegrated into society as a single mother with no abusive man and that was 10 years ago, I just ran into her at a charity gathering and she is a buyer for a large aircraft factory here and very successful.. she told me she would not ever had been able to get on if I had not given her all the clothes to go on interviews with , and the encouragement that she could do it on her own with the help of God and her will power to abstain from drugs and men for a year.. I was overjoyed to see her so happy..
one year my youngest daughter had two friends over ( twins) from school to help decorate our tree and house.. they were 15 and had NEVER done this , with music and cookies and the things we do and think as normal.. they have snce moved away, but she stays in touch with them and exchanges Christmas cards every year.. she is 20 now, and just finished decorating the tree and house again, while home on break from college.. and I was being all scrooged out until she came home and "motivated" me once again.. we have wrapped 24 presents for 12 girls ages 2 to 13, and 12 boys, ages 4 to 12.. those are being delivered in the "bag" on the 23rd.. I can't wait! and please, I am no saint.. I was one of those mothers at one time.. God intervened.... and gave me my Joe, who I swear has angel wings under his shoulder blades, as he has been the best father to my children and the best hubby I could ever dream of..
joeswife, that's a wonderful post. I can now see the logic behind your user name!
Have a wonderful Christmas! ♥