I still find it very difficult to ask anyone for anything, even if I am asking because someone else needs something! Each Christmas we have a Project, such as last year's "Give A Child A Smile", to spread Hope to those who are not able to be with family and friends.

This year we decided to just do something small and personal, but the expense of purchasing everything was getting out of hand. I spoke to the floor supervisor at Walgreens to see if he could help out with a few sample-size personal care items. Mr. Riddle asked me to return today to pick up a few things ... a FEW things. A "few things"? Our office is literally covered in beautiful, bright and shiny gift bags that are filled with all sorts of things the young mothers at Marywood will love. My daughter was squealing with delight, and my husband was brought to tears at the unexpected generosity of Mr. Riddle and the Walgreens store.
Let the preparations begin!

Stuffed toys for the children, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, face moisturizers, and silver containers in various shapes are a few of the hundreds of items donated by Walgreen's. Various perfume and cosmetic samples were donated by Foley's at Lakeline Mall. Our neighbor donated some beautiful gift bags and Christmas tissue paper. We had purchased some small books for the mothers to read to the children and what would Christmas be without those Hershey's Kisses? We have well over 120 packages put together, and we aren't finished yet!! Parents and children in shelters deserve a little pampering and a smile or two, especially on Christmas day!!

Being a parent is the most wonderful gift imaginable and even the most experienced and mature parents will find themselves feeling frustrated and agitated, with their child. With a lot of support, young mothers have the opportunity to become really good parents; if that is their priority. Without family or an organization such as Marywood, the young mothers may not have the opportunity to complete high school while their baby is being cared for by people who are well trained in how to appropriately interact with the baby. Marywood gives these mothers an opportunity and a helping hand to create a future for themselves and their babies.