"Nine years ago I was 26 years old and wanted to make a difference. Disenchanted after having learned how many “charities” spend donated funds benefiting themselves and not the intended people, I decided to find my own families in need over the holidays.
I would go to the main post office in Los Angeles and sift through their “Dear Santa Letters.” Reading stories from children who would never see a Christmas filled with toys, new clothes and Christmas dinner, I knew this was my calling. Gathering all the info I could, I would then create lists of what I needed and go out and spread the word.
Clients, friends, family and anyone with a pulse...I would ask them to help. Some would donate toys, some food, some clothes, and some cash. Using any of the funds I received, I would then go an pick up all the items I wasn’t able to obtain and complete my lists.
I assembled a team of family and friends to sort, wrap, and then physically hand over these goods to the people who needed them personally. From start to finish, this was 100% volunteer, and 100% of the funds/goods went where they were needed.