"One sweet little girl on hospice care requested a Snow White dress a few months ago. We found out this week that she had passed and the family chose to bury her in that dress. I was overcome with emotion. What an incredible testament to Alexa's cause. I know she was there welcoming this sweet Snow White to heaven. "
I attended another Princess Alexa Foundation board meeting Monday night. It started at 7 PM and I walked out of the building at 10:15 PM. As I later told my husband, I had no idea it had gotten so late because the time actually flew while at the meeting.
What I quoted above is the constant theme of this organization -- it is for the kids. One thing that stuck out for me during our meeting was when Alexa's Mom (see Alexa's story if you are not familiar with it) said something like giving costumes away to seriously-ill children was not about glory for the foundation or its name but about happiness for these children. I was wondering how people would know these were from the foundation and Alexa's Mom pointed out this did not matter -- it is getting new costumes to children to help with their happiness. This organization has gotten it right and for all the right reasons -- thinking of others.
I listened at the meeting and was so excited about all the wonderful things going on with the foundation. It is truly amazing what has been accomplished in such a short amount of time.
Alexa's Mom updated everyone on Friendship Park and the great things happening with regard to that. She also updated us on the foundations goal for the costume closets for the children's hospital. The goal is to have 2000 costumes for the closets for the opening of them this Spring and the foundation is about 3/4ths of the way there. We also discussed how the foundation donates costumes to children on hospice care and all the stories (like the one above) were so touching. It was hard not to tear up at times -- there were definitely moments for me during the meeting of thanking God with regard to my girls.
One of the amazing stories is one of the board members while randomly researching on the web found a company and called them in Utah. The company is called Little Adventures; they sell dress-up clothes at wholesale. She told them the story and Little Adventures is now helping out big time. What a wonderful company and they have the most adorable dress-up clothes!
Anyhow as stated I was so excited to hear all the news and to participate in discussions with the board for the foundation. The foundation is having one more big push to try to collect costumes or funds to reach our goal of 2000 costumes for the spring opening of the closets at the hospital. The great thing is if someone does not have time to go out and purchase a costume, funds are appreciated as well. With the connection to Little Adventures now, the money can be well spent to purchase more (incredibly reasonable) costumes from Little Adventures.
As always, I'm collecting costumes and money if anyone wishes/can participate. I know times are hard right now with the economy, jobs etc. Everyone is experiencing it even where I work.
Also there will be a big costume drive every November after Halloween (when items are marked down big time) for costumes to continue to replenish the costume closets.
Lastly, I want to thank all of you again that have already donated to this foundation. People at my sister's work place, in-laws, sisters, friends, etc. You are wonderful people and I thank you from the bottom of my heart! If anything, please read the stories of where your items are going on the foundation website and have a smile in your heart at the good you have done. It is hard for me to reach out and ask people to help. My personality is more pushing up my sleeves and doing work versus asking for help. I am saying this because for me to reach out and for people to actually have responded to me was a huge deal for me and so very appreciated. I can't express it. Thank you, thank you again!!
