When a child’s house burns to the ground, they miss their stuffed toy, their blanket, their toys, and their favorite books. When a parent’s house burns to the ground, they worry about where they will live, how will they find the funds to rebuild, how will they start over with nothing.
Once the devastation sinks in, there are two things both the parents and the children are thankful for: their lives and anything familiar. They are heartbroken; we are heartbroken for them and with them. Amazing firefighters…. always displaying unrelenting strength and perseverance to keep going. All there is trauma; lifelong trauma.
We want to do something, but we don’t know what to do; sometimes, giving money feels impersonal. I am asking you join with me, to make a difference for just one child. Please consider offering one toy, one book, one small stuffed animal, or one blanket for a child who has lost their home. Only new items please. You may add an inspirational message, that will get reviewed, or write your short message inside the book you offer. You can include your city and state, no personal information please. The children, and their families, will know people from all over the United States are with them.
We already have several businesses, schools, professionals and students who are contributing items. Some students, from around the United States, are writing letters to impacted students in Los Angeles. Please join them.
Many of you have known me for a long time. You know, I have dedicated my life to making a difference in the life of a child during some of the most horrific moments of their life. This ‘ask’ is not unfamiliar to me. I have been involved in similar projects involving young people before. We know this type of trauma has the potential to become generational. Make one small difference to one child. They will remember the feeling receiving your offering for their lifetime.
I am scheduled to spend five days a month in Los Angeles through May. I begin that rotation in two weeks, the end of January. My car is going to be full of gifts for children every time I drive out. Consider taking a moment of your day today, purchase one item for a child; a toy, a book, a small blanket, a card. You can send your offering directly to me at:
Susan Magestro
P O Box 6342
Scottsdale, AZ 85261
These gifts will be hand delivered to parents/children staying in hotels, shelters, community centers and to fire departments. They will forever remember your kindness during one of the most difficult moments in their lives. Because….when a child loses everything they just want one small thing to be their familiar; their toy, their stuffed animal, their favorite book, and their blanket.
And the next time you see a fire fighter, please thank them for their service and their truly enormous personal sacrifices. I say thank you every day, because they are my family as well as my friends.
With gratitude,
Sue Magestro
