Shoe Box Packing Party for OCC

The Shoe Box Packing Party for Operations Christmas Child was a huge success!

19 people contributed to this event with 14 people attending to help pack boxes.  We packed a total of 55 shoe boxes for girls and boys of all ages with items including toys, games, playing cards, stuffed animals, school supplies, toiletries, t-shirts, flip-flops, baseball caps and candy, along with personal cards with best wishes from us.  We also have stuff for about 6 or 7 more boxes.

So many of you brought items, made trips to the store, hauled loads back and forth, scrounged inventory, prepped and sorted, wrote notes, contributed money, helped wrap, pack and clean up.  I am truly grateful for all of your help.

Thanks to all of you, over 60 needy children living in poverty will receive a box with items that will put a smile on their face, clothes on their backs, shoes on their feet, and will also warm the hearts of their parents who long to give them more then they have.

AND we had fun doing it!
Congratulations on this accomplishment!

Dignity

I was extremely privaleged to be able to attend this event that celebrated the publishing of a new book Dignity by accomplished photography Dana Gluckstein in collaboration with Amnesty International honoring indigenous people throughout the world.  We heard moving stories and interviews and received an autographed copy of the book.
http://www.danagluckstein.com/

They ask us to urge our politicians to endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous People (UNDRIP).

Shopping Trip to Ten Thousand Villages

Our shopping trip to Ten Thousand Villages in Pasadena was really wonderful.  We enjoyed browsing through all the  unique handmade gifts, jewelry, home decor, art and sculpture. textiles, serveware and personal accessories representing the diverse cultures of artisans in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.  I got all my Christmas shopping done!  And got a few very special items for myself including a singing bowl like the ones I admired when I was in Nepal that makes a really beautiful ringing sound, and a hand made bird house from Lao.
http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/

We also enjoyed a wonderful brunch at Lamills Coffee in Silver Lake.  It was a very unique coffee experience and we can't wait to go back.

http://www.lamillcoffee.com/