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To all of you who made "Warm Wishes" a very successful '96 season. The response, to put it lightly, was overwhelming. Warm Wishes was self-supporting and is in the black. Lots of you said or told me your own stories showing me the large degree of sincere caring. I never thought I'd have so many pen pals. More than 100 people became a part of warm wishes '96. Donations and participation went way beyond my wildest expectations. If only my own self-promotion in business could get this kind of response.
On Sunday, December 8th, a group of us met at Nina's house for coffee, bagels, donuts and to load up our bags. Nina Barbalacci, Sue Tempest, Bob and Darcy Alderson, Karen Blumenthal, Paul Kasbar, and I, all set off to Union Square, with Market Street and the park at Town Hall to be our final destination.
We hit the streets with 250 pairs of gloves with warm wishes logos, 250 pairs of new socks, and 80 loaves of french bread donated by Jim Dominguez of Colombo bakery. There was a lot of enthusiasm, and the holiday spirit was in the air.
After Nina and I approached our first homeless person, we had a very heartfelt encounter and our feelings were good. Next we approached a young girl, 20ish, who was very bewildered by our offer. After accepting gloves, socks and a loaf of bread, she looked up and said, "Why are you doing this?" I responded by saying, "To make you smile."
I began to go on to the next person and Nina was not following. Where was Nina? She had stepped over to the side by herself, and I could see her eyes swelled with tears. She could not speak. Needless to say, we were both overwhelmed with emotion, goose bumps, watery eyes, and the whole works.
Across the street I saw Bob and Darcy with the attitude of "we are on a mission." They easily fell right into the situation with much vigor. The others were in another section of town, probably experiencing something of the same.
With everything said and done, we all went to Dewey's Sports Bar at the St. Francis for food, drink and the Niner's.
Afterwards, Nina and I went to our discounted deluxe room in the Sir Francis Drake at Union Square. After taking a long nap, we got dressed up and went to the Star Light room for dinner overlooking Union Square festively displaying its holiday attire, tree lights, and a full ice skating rink to complete the visuals. We felt very complete, satisfied and thankful. I said, "Things are good."
Energy permitting, I'm hoping to expand the idea. I feel it necessary to help fulfill the need that others have expressed to me. There are two types of participants, financial and hands on. Both are essential for our success.
Warm Wishes,
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