Just a quick thought before we all share our Thanksgiving feast with our loved ones…

“It is better to give than to receive” is such a remarkable truth.

I feel truly blessed for the opportunity to give.  Decorating the apartments of the  NCCF families has been a gift to me in many ways.  I have experienced remarkable generosity from so many people that want to give to this project.  I have made new friends and strengthened my relationship with others.  I have received so many kinds words of encouragement and praise. Needless to say, it warms my heart knowing that the families are living more comfortably and that we may have made a difference that changes their life and breaks the cycle.  The best gift of all.

By giving these families an opportunity to thrive in their new home, I have unexpectedly received, and I hope you have too. Knowing that what you have contributed has gone directly to helping others is a wonderful gift.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!  Thank you for all your donations and efforts to this project.  We will be helping many more families in the future!  So keep checking the blog!

LOVE TO ALL OF YOU !

Kathy

It took a “Village” to transform this apartment !

Our latest  family needed a pick me up, that’s for sure., and we gave it to them!  The transformation was unbelievable, and they are so happy! On Tuesday, I had an fantastic team  that worked tirelessly to help whip this tired and depressing apartment into a place this family can be proud of.  We scrubbed and cleaned, organized closets and cabinets, hung pictures and curtains and moved furniture until we dropped.  The end result was an amazing place to call home for this family of four.  I just spoke with the mom and she said the kids love their rooms and spend all there time there now.  They are occupied with fun things to do and there isn’t anymore fighting and arguing!  Amazing what a bright, clean, pleasant atmosphere can do for children.  The mom is enjoying her peace, relaxing in her own tranquil, redecorated room.  It is so rewarding to know that we helped this family have a better quality of life, with just a few things–basic things really—that we all have in our own homes–and take for granted.  Things like pictures on our walls, curtains on our windows, pillows on our beds and dishes in our cabinets.  When we arrived they had donated TV’s in every room, but a television does not make a room inviting, it distracts you from focusing on what else is missing in the room or your life.

We gave the kids warm and inviting rooms, with toys to play with (game boys, balls,legos, books and dolls–all donated) and their names proudly displayed on the walls.  The boys got bunk beds and a room filled with spiderman and wrestlers, that they love.  The 8 year old girl was treated to a princess’s palace of pink and purple with her own vanity and personalized bulletin board.  The kitchen was transformed into a organized, bright sunny space where the family can share meals on their new dishes and the living room is comfy and cozy with a handsome leather chair with lighting–something that was sorely missing before.

So many people came forward with items for this home that it is hard to name them all, but you all know who you are! Friends made curtains and pillows-framed pictures and refinished furniture. My right hand assistant, Amy,-personalized everything for the kids and shopped till she dropped.  Personally, I don’t think I’ve ever been more exhausted in my life!

All of  you should be proud of your part in helping this family and I thank you for your help from the bottom of my heart, I couldn’t have done this without you!

Many more people want to help families in the future and there will be other opportunities, so keep checking in with me, and watch for the next challenge!

Okay, here are the BEFORE AND AFTERS THAT YOU ARE ALL WAITING FOR…

Living room before…

and After…

after…

kitchen before…

and after…

boys room before…

and after…

Girls room before…

and after…

Mom’s room before…

and After…

Bathrooms before

Bathrooms After…

All the items were gathered, furniture was refinished, and painted, loaded into the cars and trucks…ready for D-day (as in delivery day).  Before and afters to follow in the next blog…

Amy and I spent the last few days gathering items, measuring and organizing the donations for the next family.  Thank you to those of you who have answered my latest plea.  Special thanks to Karen Murley and to Jill Kaufman for pulling together alot of framed pictures to fill the walls with art.  We aren’t done yet, so keep checking with your friends…

Here’s what we still need:

• pink curtains
• floor lamp
• cookie sheet(s)
• area rugs
• anything spiderman or wrestling
• a working computer for the kids
• solid color throw pillows

I know the family is very excited and looks forward to seeing there new home next week.  We will be working hard on Tuesday and Wednesday…so look for the after photos…coming soon…THANKS EVERYONE!