Eden Community Gives Back: the first Christmas family has been adopted! (Please help raise Eden Points for gift shopping 11/15 – 11/20!)

Contributor: Victoria Victoria
I have a VERY AWESOME announcement!!! We have a tally...and it’s a great one!

The Eden Points drive ended over the weekend and was incredibly successful once again – because you people are amazing! We had donations from about 20 people this time around...not too shabby!

It came to a total of 41,379 points donated. That’s $413.79 in points, which means Eden is giving 50% of that as cash... that works out to $206.89.
This brings the grand total raised for this family (including the Eden basic funding of $150) to $356.89! YAYYY!!!

And we're sending the check for $356.89 to Selective Sensualist! Those two kids are going to have a most excellent Christmas thanks to this community!!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to:

• JR
• Jobthingy
• P'gell x 2
• Kindred
• Gary (our biggest donor this time)
• Carrie Ann
• dwtim
• Sammi x 2
• Jul!a
• Darling Jen
• Rockin with a Cock In
• Chilipepper
• Mistress Kay
• Taylor
• Victoria
• Fred
• Jesibel420
• Selective Sensualist


Keeps us posted, Selective Sensualist! We want to hear ALL about it! And major KUDOS TO YOU for adopting this family and sharing the love with us!!!

And the next family? Will be announced tomorrow! Tuesday morning, November 23rd. Exciting!
11/22/2010
Contributor: Chilipepper Chilipepper
Wonderful news!
11/22/2010
Contributor: gone77 gone77
Yay! That's such fantastic news! Well done, everybody! I totally spazzed on getting my points cashed in on time (didn't have much anyway) but that just means I've have even more to give the next family. Can't wait for the announcement!
11/22/2010
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Wow I way too busy and distracted this week ! Thanks to everyone who donated. When is the next one?
11/22/2010
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
SO cool, it will be a great Christmas indeed for those two kids. ~sends big hug to the Eden community!~
11/22/2010
Contributor: Darling Jen Darling Jen
How awesome! And don't worry people who got busy we know you're sharing love in you own way and there will be more families!
11/22/2010
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
I am so excited for Selective Sensualist to see this
11/22/2010
Contributor: Rockin' Rockin'
I love these announcements. Thanks to Selective Sensualist for volunteering and for the community for coming together in support. Looking forward to donating to the next family, too!
11/22/2010
Contributor: Taylor Taylor
Thanks for the update! I'm glad so much money was raised. I'm hoping I can give a little more next time.
11/22/2010
Contributor: Fred Petrenko Fred Petrenko
Many many thanks to everyone who participated and those who supported. Special bows to @Selective Sensualist I love to see small but honest, sincere and very simple but practical way of helping people.
11/22/2010
Contributor: Illusional Illusional
Blah, I totally missed out on donating, but this is SO awesome.
11/22/2010
Contributor: Sammi Sammi
This is amazing!
11/22/2010
Contributor: Selective Sensualist Selective Sensualist
WOW . . . This is just incredible! Thank you, thank you, thank you -- all of you!

Special thanks to JR, Jobthingy, P'gell, Kindred, Gary (wow -- I still can't get over that $100 gift card donation), Carrie Ann, dwtim, Sammi, Jul!a, Darling Jen, Rockin with a Cock In, Chilipepper, Mistress Kay, Taylor, Victoria, Fred, and Jesibel420!

You are all A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. (((Hugs))) I will DEFINITELY be keeping you all posted in the days and weeks ahead.


I look forward to hearing about the next family we'll be helping! What a wonderful, WONDERFUL project this truly is.
11/23/2010
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Good work, everybody.

I wish I could help with distribution. I live too far away. But, we did a good thing.

Blessings to all and to the family. I hope they have a wonderful Christmas.
11/23/2010
Contributor: Selective Sensualist Selective Sensualist
I have an update to share with all of you. I have both some (mildly) bad news and some wonderful news.

I recently spoke again with the mother of the two children and, during the course of that conversation, it became apparent that the family is not quite as needy as the information on her Case Sheet had indicated. I don't want to go into too many sordid details since this is rather disheartening and don't want any of us to dwell too much on the negative -- especially during this time of Thanksgiving. But I do feel like I owe you some examples to better explain this situation.

To give you a general idea, she was passing along requests for rather extravagant gifts (such as designer shoes and $150 Retro sneakers). I also learned, subsequent to that conversation, that the family lives in an affluent neighborhood in a large, very nice home. This was a surprise to me because most (if not all) of the other families who are approved for Plano Santas live in rather rough neighborhoods in tiny apartments packed full of people. It seems that she did not provide full disclosure on her application to this program. To put it simply, some discrepancies came to light when I talked with her the second time.

During our first conversation, my goal was to get a feel for whether or not we could adequately meet her family's needs. I explained that we were working with limited funds. When she suggested gift cards for the kids to buy some clothing at reasonably-priced retail venues, I felt confident that this was a family that we could indeed help. Knowing we working with "limited funds," it is difficult to imagine a mother who would allow her children to squander almost the entire amount on a couple of pairs of shoes if her children really were in dire need of basics.

I called the mother today and told her -- in as nice and gentle a manner as possible -- that I did not feel that we were a good match since we could not afford to meet her family's "needs."

Now that I have the bad news out of the way, I do have some good news I cannot wait to share with you! But to start afresh and leave all negativity behind, I will post this news in a separate comment. Give me a sec!
11/24/2010
Contributor: Selective Sensualist Selective Sensualist
I returned to the Assistance Center today to select a new family for EF. The family that I selected is a family of five: 36-year-old parents (mom AND dad), a 7-year-old girl, a 6-year-old boy, and a 1-year-old girl.

While the father is employed and there is thus an income for the family, his income is low and they have absolutely nothing left over after paying their rent and utilities. They don't have enough money to buy clothing and shoes for the children, let alone toys.

When I called to talk to the mother tonight, we ran into a communication barrier since she does not speak English. I spoke to one of the children, but she (or he?) was too young to adequately pass along the necessary information. So, I spoke to the father, who has limited command of English and asked him to have an adult friend who speaks English to call me back.

To make a long story short, I finally spoke to the family friend, who relayed the children's sizes for clothing. The mother was anxious to emphasize a priority for pants/jeans and shoes for the children over any toys. And if I could manage, the family would be very grateful for a mattress cover for their bed and a vacuum cleaner.

My priority will be to shop as frugally as possible and buy at least two (hopefully three) sets of clothing for each child. I have $15 Payless Shoe Source cards for each child, so I think shoes would be covered there. Then I will see about getting a toy for each child. And I will do what I can to try to find a vacuum and mattress pad, if at all possible.

I am very excited about shopping for clothing for these kiddos. I have always wanted kids, but apparently am unable to have them. I always loved shopping for my nieces and nephews when they were young. And 1, 6, and 7 are such fun ages to shop for.

I will keep you all updated on my shopping expedition for these children. Thank you once again for your generosity!

I hope each and every one of you have a joyous Thanksgiving. (((Hugs)))
11/25/2010
Contributor: Chilipepper Chilipepper
It's unfortunate about the first family, but thank you for finding another one so quickly. Good luck.
11/25/2010
Contributor: Darling Jen Darling Jen
I honestly did get suspicions about the first family when the mother wanted gift cards, first of all, and that one of them be to Forever 21. I mean, people in need want more bang for their buck, like Wal-Mart or something. So I'm gravely disappointed in that woman for nearly taking help that another family could honestly really use. But like you said, no more concentrating on the negative. I am SO pleased with the replacement family and love their practicality. Clothes, a mattress, and a vacuum cleaner might be a tall order but it's definitely a very, very smart list. I hope we can come close, at least.
11/25/2010
Contributor: Selective Sensualist Selective Sensualist
Quote:
Originally posted by Darling Jen
I honestly did get suspicions about the first family when the mother wanted gift cards, first of all, and that one of them be to Forever 21. I mean, people in need want more bang for their buck, like Wal-Mart or something. So I'm gravely ... more
Yeah, it gave me pause, too. But I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. After that second conversation, however, I would have been turning a willfully ignorant and blind eye.

I wanted us to help a family who desperately needed the help. I have no doubts whatsoever about this new family. They are just wanting the basics for their kids and for their family -- and they want to make certain their children's basics needs are covered before getting them their wants (in the form of a toy per child).
11/25/2010
Contributor: Darling Jen Darling Jen
Quote:
Originally posted by Selective Sensualist
Yeah, it gave me pause, too. But I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. After that second conversation, however, I would have been turning a willfully ignorant and blind eye.

I wanted us to help a family who desperately needed the ... more
I agree. I think you made the absolute best decision. And it's sad but true that immigrants are way over-represented under the poverty line. But I hope this really helps them out and that they know they are NOT second-class citizens for it. And they're such good parents for asking for help when they need it to make sure their kids are taken care of. Nothing warms my heart like people doing right by their kids and anyone's all right with me that does.
11/25/2010
Contributor: Kindred Kindred
That's unfortunate about the first family. However, it sounds like you found a truly worthy family this time. Thanks again for all your hard work.
11/25/2010
Contributor: SexyTabby SexyTabby
That's a shame they are abusing the system like that and taking away from someone who is in need. That was one of my fears when I was selecting a family. We have an overabundance of these types in our society. But I'm glad you were able to find another family that is in need of real help.

Lots of places have children's clothes and even vacuums on sale for Black Friday. Maybe take a good look at the sales papers and see if you can find something within budget.

Thanks for what you are doing and continuing to move forward after the first family turned out that way.
11/25/2010
Contributor: Miss Cinnamon Miss Cinnamon
Selective Sensualist, thank you so much for being on the ball and catching onto the truth with that first family! I am so glad that you have found a new, truly needy family for us to support in such a short amount of time. You rock!
11/25/2010
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
Quote:
Originally posted by Selective Sensualist
Yeah, it gave me pause, too. But I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. After that second conversation, however, I would have been turning a willfully ignorant and blind eye.

I wanted us to help a family who desperately needed the ... more
You TOTALLY did the right thing and you know that the Eden staff supports you.

Kickass, lady! I know you'll make these kids happy - and I am so excited that you found a deserving family!
11/26/2010
Contributor: Rockin' Rockin'
Quote:
Originally posted by Selective Sensualist
Yeah, it gave me pause, too. But I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. After that second conversation, however, I would have been turning a willfully ignorant and blind eye.

I wanted us to help a family who desperately needed the ... more
I am so proud of you, Selective Sensualist, for going the extra mile and going with your gut feeling. Thank you for finding another family and getting in touch with them. Your hard work is really appreciated and this community supports you! Thanks for keeping us in the loop and putting our funds to good use!
11/26/2010
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Selective Sensualist
I returned to the Assistance Center today to select a new family for EF. The family that I selected is a family of five: 36-year-old parents (mom AND dad), a 7-year-old girl, a 6-year-old boy, and a 1-year-old girl.

While the father is ... more
This new family sound great, mysecretcollection!

It's sad when people try to get into a program that they don't need, but it's better you found out before it was too late. (Forever XXI? I can't afford to shop there for my children!) Yeah, that would have put up a red flag for me, too. The families My Man and I and our children help through the school district Giving Tree usually ask for either winter clothes and outer wear, or if gift cards, to somewhere like Walmart or Target or even one woman asked if we could get her gift card for her kids from the Goodwill because she could get so much more there.

I'm sure it was really hard. But, it astounds me when people who are less than needy claim entitlement. You did the right thing. You are a strong woman, MSC and I applaud your instincts and the strength to go and do what needed to be done.

This new family sounds great.

11/26/2010
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
Hey lady, any news? We're all rooting for you
12/07/2010
Contributor: Selective Sensualist Selective Sensualist
Quote:
Originally posted by Victoria
Hey lady, any news? We're all rooting for you
I just checked the tracking info on an order I'd placed for them on Black Friday. I should receive it by this coming Friday. (Don't know what the delay in shipping was -- at the time I placed the order, the message issued by the site stated that I'd get it within 7-10 days . . . perhaps I didn't read the fine print and it was 7-10 BUSINESS days, LOL!)

I have some other stuff for the family that I bought on Black Friday sales at brick-and-mortar stores. I charged it all on a credit card and went over the allotted amount quite a bit (purchases bought at brick-and-mortar stores, PLUS what I'd purchased online). So when the online order gets here, I plan to go through everything and determine what to keep and what to take back to get it closer to the amount I actually have to spend on them. I'll photograph everything that I decide is a keeper and post a bunch of photos!
12/07/2010
Contributor: Selective Sensualist Selective Sensualist
Oh, and anyone who is fluent in written Spanish, could you message me if you are willing to translate a message I'd like to include with the Christmas card for the family? I'd also like to include some care suggestions for some of the items I'd purchased for the kids. (Being the diligent reviewer that I am, I read reviews on the clothing I purchased, LOL! And I want to pass these tips gleaned from the online clothing reviewers along to them.)
12/07/2010
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
Quote:
Originally posted by Selective Sensualist
I just checked the tracking info on an order I'd placed for them on Black Friday. I should receive it by this coming Friday. (Don't know what the delay in shipping was -- at the time I placed the order, the message issued by the site stated ... more
Exciting! Looking forward to your EdenCafe post about it with the photos! Hope that package arrives soon and you can enjoy the wrapping
12/10/2010