A Way To Honor Caylee

[cuppy199]

We have decided to make a nice contribution to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital so many kids can be helped in Caylee's name. St. Jude does not charge terminally ill children and has all of the best doctors, nurses, and equipment available.

http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f2bfab46cb118010VgnVCM1000000e2015acRCRD

Great cause I donate to them I also donate to the shriners hospital to help burned children I will make an extra donation for both in Caylee's name

 

[Bobo]

What an uplifting thread! :clap: Thanks to all who have contributed!

Each year we choose a different charity to make our largest yearly contribution in lieu of *presents* to friends and family members older than 13 year-olds. Usually, it's a worthy cause that may not be widely known. We make a *presentation packet* for each recipient in hopes that the gift will spawn interest in the cause, creating other potential donors for the cause.

This year, our worthy cause will be TES.

After reading Vegas Bride's post, I think we'll go out and grab a couple of Angels, too. We have done this before.

In fact, one memorable year, instead of the aforementioned big donation to a single worthy cause, we got a whole lot of Angels of different ages, including the elderly. We went shopping for each Angel, choosing one fun present, like a toy or book, and one practical present, like a cool jacket or pajamas, for each of the angels. Then, we took photos of what was purchased for each angel and added the Angel's info to create a package to give. In other words, we let our friends/family know which Angel we had in mind and what was gifted for that Angel. We had a blast doing that, but I have to admit that it was very time-consuming. But worth it!

 

[Andy H.]

Please consider Toys for Tots as one way to honor Caylee. It is a great program and among places, one can usually find a station at the Wallmarts. Thank you.

 

[Cubby]

Please consider Toys for Tots as one way to honor Caylee. It is a great program and among places, one can usually find a station at the Wallmarts. Thank you.

I have heard toys for tots is waaay short this year on having gifts for all the children registered as well. My son and I donated to Dick Biondi's toy drive- because I think he and his music rocks! He's still playing on the oldies station in our area.

For those who can donate, and those who can not... times are tough for everyone these days. I hope, when this case dies down... that the hundreds and hundreds viewing and following this case will continue to advocate for the missing and unidentified. The numbers of unidentified children on doenetwork alone, is staggering, and I know the cases on doe are only a fraction of the unidentified. Everyone deserves a name, and everyone deserves to be found and reunited with their family.

 

[GreenEyes727]

Yesterday I picked out my Angel, she is 12 years old and it will be a joy to pick out some nice things for this little girl! She has a wish list for craft items, cd's and books! For my own therapy I need to focus on a child who needs a little Christmas Spirit, gifts need to be brought back to the bank by the 17th so I will be busy getting everything together. Any ideas on what books would be good for a 12 yo girl? I'm thinking of a jewelry making kit for the craft and a gift certificate for her to get a cd plus a sweater. I love Caylee and would give anything to shower her with gifts this Christmas but there are other children out there I can do this for.

VB

Vegas Bride - this is such a wonderful idea and I am sure that Caylee is very pleased about it! We do the Angel Tree Program at work. If I had the money, no one would be able to get past me to get to the tags because I would be grabbing them all so I could buy every little person's dream Christmas presents and more. Unfortunately, that is not the case and I have not been able to do the program, which is sad. One year, the coordinator and I made up a collection of Christmas songs on a cd to give to all of those who were in the program. It was inexpensive and I was happy to make a contribution and hold hope that this would encourage them to continue with the program in years to come. I don't know how all of the rich people out there can pass those trees with those tags or the Toys-For-Tots boxes without helping out. How about if they gave up one extra $200 handbag or a similar luxury item this year to give some kids a Merry Christmas? Some people are so selfish.

Merry Christmas Caylee . . . my gift to you this Christmas will be to continue advocating for children and animals.

 

[Anais]

Great thread and awesome idea! We adopt a family with children every year. We have 5 of us and each of us shops for and chooses gifts for our member. We do this instead of exchanging gifts because we have so much already! But count us in, we are each loving the book idea and going to buy some childrens books to be wrapped and given to the children in our local shelter! So we are going to adopt 5 more angels this year in honor of Caylee!

 

[Andy H.]

Great thread and awesome idea! We adopt a family with children every year. We have 5 of us and each of us shops for and chooses gifts for our member. We do this instead of exchanging gifts because we have so much already! But count us in, we are each loving the book idea and going to buy some childrens books to be wrapped and given to the children in our local shelter! So we are going to adopt 5 more angels this year in honor of Caylee!

All our admiration to you and your family. What a great thing to do for children who otherwise wouldn't get anything. Some of my best Christmas memories involved "Christmas for Kids" program we do every year for a few families--it is soul feeding.

 

[Vegas Bride]

I truely have tears in my eyes after reading all the new posts here!! Not tears of sadness that have been shed so long for dear Caylee, but tears of joy because you all are showing me how much love and caring is out there for all of our children! I thank every one of you for the love you have in your heart and the goodness of your spirit!!
This year is so hard for so many and I am blessed in that I am able to be giving something but I understand not everyone is able to, there have been years when it was that way for me also.
:blowkiss:

VB

 

[Vegas Bride]

Great thread and awesome idea! We adopt a family with children every year. We have 5 of us and each of us shops for and chooses gifts for our member. We do this instead of exchanging gifts because we have so much already! But count us in, we are each loving the book idea and going to buy some childrens books to be wrapped and given to the children in our local shelter! So we are going to adopt 5 more angels this year in honor of Caylee!

This is so wonderful!!!! I know Caylee will love this :blowkiss:
Something I read once was her favorite cartoon was Spongebob Squarepants, I think I'm going to pick up a few of them to drop off for the Toys 4 Tots.

VB

 

[Egoslayer]

I've adopted 2 families from Aidpage.com (don't know if I can post links) of course be careful when dealing with people online. It is very sweet to do it in honor of caylee.

 

[butwhatif?]

I have just made a donation in Caylees name to the Childrens Home Society in Florida. Feels like a perfect way to honour her, by helping other little ones and building brighter futures for them.

Snipped from their website:

CHS delivers a unique spectrum of social services designed to protect children at risk of abuse, neglect or abandonment; to strengthen and stabilize families; to help young people break the cycle of abuse and neglect; and to find safe, loving homes for children. Last year, CHS helped to improve the lives of more than 90,000 children and family members.

Through Healthy Families, CHS helps parents cope with the stresses of everyday life, recognize their roles as their children's first teachers, and become better role models. Experienced family social workers give parents the tools to nurture healthy child development and promote positive parenting. The voluntary services are delivered in the family home enabling parents to learn to succeed within their own environment.

 

[Vegas Bride]

I have just made a donation in Caylees name to the Childrens Home Society in Florida. Feels like a perfect way to honour her, by helping other little ones and building brighter futures for them.

Snipped from their website:

CHS delivers a unique spectrum of social services designed to protect children at risk of abuse, neglect or abandonment; to strengthen and stabilize families; to help young people break the cycle of abuse and neglect; and to find safe, loving homes for children. Last year, CHS helped to improve the lives of more than 90,000 children and family members.

Through Healthy Families, CHS helps parents cope with the stresses of everyday life, recognize their roles as their children's first teachers, and become better role models. Experienced family social workers give parents the tools to nurture healthy child development and promote positive parenting. The voluntary services are delivered in the family home enabling parents to learn to succeed within their own environment.

This is a wonderful way of honoring Caylee thank you!!
:blowkiss:
VB

 

[Vegas Bride]

I'm happy to report that this morning I went shopping for my Angel I had such a good time picking things out that I felt a 12 year old girl would like. I found a pink fleece hoodie with Tinkerbell on it and got her a dark pink shirt that would look very nice with it. (thought about how beautiful Caylee looked in pink) then I picked out a jewelry making kit with all the beads, charms etc, it will make a ton of stuff! A Cheatah Girl book bag and a Cheata Girl cd, 2 prs of slipper socks, a manicure set and a book by Sarah Dessens called Just Listen. I hope she likes everything and feel a bit of the care that was put into it. I'll write out a Christmas card to go along with everything and let her know that if she does not like the cd or already has it, just don't unwrap it and it can be exchanged.

VB