Here’s Where I Get All Verklempt
Stuff I don't hate December 14th, 2011A week ago I wrote and asked you to please donate to a food bank in my area so I could win a Christmas lights tour arranged by a columnist at my local newspaper (pictured left).
I challenged you to raise enough funds so I could win the trip and we could all help hungry people in my area go a little less hungry.
I offered to do one of three crazy tasks if you hit my target.
You did not disappoint.
Oh, no you didn’t.
I’m almost in tears here as I write that not only did you raise enough to reach my goal of $750, but you dug deep enough to raise $865. With my family’s own contribution, that makes $1,115 in a single week!
What this means is that the Second Harvest Food Bank can distribute 10,035 pounds of food to the needy.
That’s five tons of food.
Tons. of. food. Do you hear me???
I am so overwhelmed by your generosity that I decided to do not just one of the three tasks I said I’d do, but all three.
So I’m going to eat my first ever peanut butter and jelly sandwich, dress as a clown for a whole day of work, and get my ass on a horse for the first time in my life.
I plan to do these things after the new year and post video of everything on the blog.
I cannot tell you how much it means to me that you wanted to help and that, even in this tough economy, you sent in a mountain of donations to help those you will never meet.
I kind of hate Christmas. The commercialization of it has soured me. It makes me dread the season. I don’t have a lick of Christmas in my house.
But I have it in my heart, where it means the most, because of you.
Thank you for showing the power of giving and fellowship. My family and I are truly grateful that you gave so willingly, so much and so quickly.
I am blessed to know you.
Stumble it!
December 14th, 2011 at 6:47 pm
I’m afraid I missed out on this, but I am so proud of you for doing something GOOD for Christmas!
I also can’t wait to see you on a horse. 🙂
Margaret Andrews´s last blog post ..An Open Letter to Kraft Foods, Inc.
December 14th, 2011 at 8:10 pm
You could eat a peanut butter sandwich on a horse while dressed as a clown… at work!
December 14th, 2011 at 9:48 pm
“that makes $1,115 in a single week!”
BRA-VA, Kathy! That’s INCREDIBLE!
And I think it’s AWESOME that you did this to help those in need. You may not be too keen on Christmas because of it’s commercialism (and trust me, I know what you mean because I feel the same way), but you are a shinning example of the TRUE meaning of Christmas – giving from the heart!
You GO, girl!
Have a great holiday!
X
Ron´s last blog post ..My Seasonal Blogging Break
December 15th, 2011 at 5:32 am
Congrats for your success! it’s really amazing what you’ve managed to accomplish. I’m sure that you’ll bring a smile upon many faces, and of course let’s not forget the persons who brought their contribution as well. Anyways, can’t wait to see that videos, and remember it is all for a good cause! 😛
Prima Casa Cluj´s last blog post ..Salut lume!
December 15th, 2011 at 6:24 am
Oh my Cod, that is wonderful! I actually think you will enjoy eating the PB&J sammich… I loves Pnut butter! Hooray for doing something important and good for the holidays.
Daisy the Curly Cat´s last blog post ..MONSTER!?
December 15th, 2011 at 7:01 am
WOW! Good job and Good Luck! Will you be posting photos of your adventures?
December 15th, 2011 at 8:14 am
Shame on me.
If it is not too late, I would like to add a contribution.
December 15th, 2011 at 10:43 am
Thanks again, Kathy. Great project and I’m looking forward to our trip! I must have eaten more Christmas cookies than I realized; I look humongous in that photo.
December 15th, 2011 at 10:51 am
Bill, Once Kathy and I got in the elevator, I remarked to her on how thin I thought you were! I thought that someone who ate his way through Musikfest on an annual basis would be huge, but the word I used with Kathy was “trim.” And I would also add tall, but everyone is tall to me so that doesn’t matter as much. Happy Christmas!
December 15th, 2011 at 10:54 am
Hey, that’s great! Merry Christmas!
Marvin´s last blog post ..Pictures from Independence Pass, Colorado
December 15th, 2011 at 11:14 am
I am very thrilled. The publicist says that even though our town is very, very poor when the call went out for donations for our food bank people came from far and near to help us. We received more money and more food than ever before.
It is very hard for food banks right now because Federal Funding has been severely slashed. I am sorry to take over your comments….
Have fun on the horse. The publicist says riding is FUN. All I know about horses is that the ones across the street escape and steal my hay.
Pricilla – Famous SpokesGoat´s last blog post ..Christmaaaa Caroling with the Happy Goats
December 15th, 2011 at 11:48 am
Kathy, in your heart is the best place for Christmas. My sister-in-law and I agreed this year that instead of exchanging gifts, we would donate to the local food bank. I am glad you reached your goal, and am looking forward to the videos. Fresh white bread makes the best PB&J.
Linda´s last blog post ..Nursery Rhyme Redo: Patty Cake Patty Cake
December 15th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Kathy, God bless for caring about those less fortunate. You have such a wonderful spirit and such a kind heart. I’m not a big fan of Christmas either, but angels like you make it a lot more appealing.
Linda Medrano´s last blog post ..Honey’s Bucket List
December 15th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
Wow! Well done Kathy. That’s what Christmas is all about – Giving. Actually, it’s what our Boxing Day is all about – Giving to the less fortunate. Not that people do anymore. They’d rather go shopping for themselves!
I hate what Christmas has become now.
Babs (beetle)´s last blog post ..I’ve lost my mojo!
December 15th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
Great job, Kathy! And RO beat me to the punch . . . you should combine the three activities . . . a horse-riding clown eating a PB and J.
Chris@Knucklehead!´s last blog post ..Crumbling Economy Forces Santa to Downsize
December 15th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Oh, and since you hate the commercialization of Christmas, you’ll LOVE this . . . don’t know if you’re a regular reader of my swell pal Suldog, but this is fantastic.
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com/2011/12/commercial-christmas.html
Chris@Knucklehead!´s last blog post ..Crumbling Economy Forces Santa to Downsize
December 15th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
You are so very awesome. There’s not a lick of Christmas in my house either. Best thing I ever did. Oh, and I rode horses for years. Just relax and have fun. I bet you’re the one who gets the real reward!
Nora Blithe´s last blog post ..Christmas with Simon
December 15th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Thank you Everyone for your Donations !! My family is thrilled to be able to go on the tour with Bill. And you made it possible for us to have some fun and more importantly, for hungry families to have food this holiday season. My sisters and I also gave matching donations as promised. If this is what we can do in a week think what we can do with more time!! Next Year Will be Bigger and Better !! (altho I dont know how Kathy can top riding a horse while wearing a clown outfit and eating a PB&J ! – but we have a year to come up with something). Thank you All and Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Chanukah and a Happy Kwanzaa and a Happy Festivus for the Restivus.
December 15th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
I can’t wait to see you do all these things. Thanks for the sneak peak of you in the clown suit! This is going to be so much fun and what great readers you have for being so supportive.
Jen´s last blog post ..What Is Ringworm?
December 15th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Well done!! Merry Christmas!
December 15th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
Margaret — Thank you, my dear. I’m excited for the horse thing, actually. Just worried about the “getting on” part, especially because I’m still in physical therapy for my knee and arm. I wonder if they’d let me use a ladder?
RO — Now that would be something to see. The only reason I’m not actually trying all three together is because I don’t think the horse would be too keen on having a clown climb aboard.
Ron! — Thank you. I’m so happy so many people chipped in like they did. It truly made me feel so warm and fuzzy inside, just like Christmas is supposed to make you feel. I’m not even really shopping this year. I refuse to get all stressed out about it. I’d much rather just keep doing fundraising. Easier and it makes me so much happier. Merry Christmas, dude!
Prima — I’m so grateful for the donations, you don’t even know. And yes, look for the videos. They should be classics in no time because I’m sure I’ll do everything wrong.
Daisy the Curly Cat — Thank you, curly girl! I know how much you love peanut butters, but I’m skeert of the jelly with it. But I promise to eat the whole sammich, even if I don’t really like it. I promised!
Bijoux — Yes, probably a mixture of stills and video. Stay tuned!
BabaBooey — Thank you for donating, Bill! And I know this will be a very merry Christmas for you.
Bill White — Oh, please. Did you get a load of that third boob I got goin’ on there? Ugh. You look great! And thanks for meeting me on campus to pick up the checks. Looking forward to the tour!
Heather — Yes, Bill’s being way to hard on himself. I’m just glad I didn’t take up the whole shot with my giant body. Thank you for taking our picture and thank you for donating too.
Marvin — Thanks and same to you!
Pricilla — Oh, you make me laugh. Tell those horses to leave your hay alone and get their own! I’m glad you have such good success in collecting donations in your own hometown, despite the depressed economy. You didn’t take over the comments. Trust me, we all feel the same way.
Linda — I would love to do that myself. I just feel so much better giving to others who have next to nothing. When I look at my own life, there isn’t a single thing more that I need. Someone else should have it. I’ve heard that tip for the PBJ. White bread all the way, baby!
Linda Medrano — Thank you, you’re such a sweetheart. But I was only the conduit for the gifts. Everyone else deserves a round of applause. You are the ones who made it happen!
Babs Beetle — Agreed. I guess as I get older, I want to give where the need is greatest. My philosophy is that Christmas should be more about children and making dreams happen. The spending is way out of hand and I often wonder how much people go into debt trying to pay off Christmas shopping bills. Anyway, I’m just so happy for what happened here.
Chris — I wanted to, but I don’t think the horse would be thrilled to have a clown try to hop on its back. Unless it was used to rodeo clowns. And even then… I’ll check out the post you linked in a minute.
Nora Blithe — Ah ha! I knew there must be someone else out there whose house looks like every other day of the year! If I get crazy, I might hang a wreath on my door, but that’s it. I’m looking more and more forward to the horse thing. OMG. Wish me luck!
Marlene — I’m already thinking about what to do for next year. This did turn out great, didn’t it? Win win win all around! Festivus for the Restivus!
Jen — Ah, I forgot you got a sneak peek. I hope I do the outfit proud. It’s quite something. And thank you for publicizing my effort and talking about it in the Tribal Blogs Newsletter.
Trixie — And same to you!
December 15th, 2011 at 10:31 pm
…and that is what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.
It isn’t about lights and decorations, packages, or silver trees that sound hollow when you knock on them. 🙂 I didn’t get the chance to donate with all that was going on here, but I will make a donation in honor of that peanut butter and jelly sammich to Em’s National Honor Society Adopt-a-family.
Oh–a local radio station here made a huge call out for peanut butter for needy families this year because it got so expensive. It is a staple for needy families and the food banks weren’t getting it anymore because of the cost. They called the drive “Peanut Butter and Jolly”. I thought you might use that when you are enjoying your sammich!!
lin´s last blog post ..I Love Hobbes Thursday – Nurse Ratched
December 16th, 2011 at 10:56 am
Great job Kathy 🙂 An admirable thing you’re doing here.
Ryan – RMC Tech´s last blog post ..Tablets And Mobile VS PC’s! What Will The Future Look Like?
December 16th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Kathy – you are amazing.
meleah rebeccah´s last blog post ..Goodbye, Poppa Sye. Rest In Peace
December 17th, 2011 at 11:07 am
I’m sorry I missed this, but what an amazing thing! This post is in the true season of the holiday. Thank you.
frogmama´s last blog post ..In 20 years je me still souviens why I left
December 17th, 2011 at 11:10 pm
I can’t wait to see you on a horse and in a clown suit. I think once you eat a PB&J, you’ll be hooked on them.
J. Bear Savo´s last blog post ..I Hate Christmas & Jesus Does, Too
December 18th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
No need to be sour on Christmas–It certainly isn’t the fault of Jesus our Savior that the celebration of His birth has become commercialized. We have so much to celebrate! Glad you got so many donations and am really looking forward to those videos!
Karen and Gerard´s last blog post ..A Surprise For My Pastor
December 18th, 2011 at 9:35 pm
I’ve been so out of touch.. taking a few minutes to go to my favorite bloggers! And now I see I’ve missed a lot… a clown for a day – WOO HOOOOO!!!! And a peanut butter sandwich… better be sure there is an epi pen around! 😉
What a great thing you’ve done… that is amazing!
Katherine´s last blog post ..Cheerleader Kills Shark With Bare Hands
December 20th, 2011 at 9:46 pm
I’m really impressed with that “big” check in your hand. Did you borrow one from the Publisher’s Clearing House? Great job, BTW!
December 22nd, 2011 at 6:07 am
Congratulations! I can’t wait to read about your adventure both on the lights tour and on the horse, in a clown suit eating a PBJ. You should also drink a PBR just to add to the hilarity and acronyms.
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