November 2022 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER 17
Boys & Girls Aid
By MARGIE WIESENTHAL
Organization helps kid learn what a birthday party is like
FOR MORE INFORMATION Boys and Girls Aid : www . boysandgirlsaid . org
Charbonneau Cypress Branch : www . cypressonline . org
In October of 2013 , a boy was born . He is named Mike . His mother was a single woman without a job and so after a week or two they lived on the streets . She tried her
WIESENTHAL best to care for him
but after eight years she died of an overdose and he was left alone .
Somehow he came to Boys & Girls Aid . Now he is cared for very well in a foster home . But at 8 years old he had never been to a birthday party and didn ’ t even know what one was supposed to be like . That was about to change . His foster family told him that he was going to have a birthday party to celebrate his ninth birthday . “ OK , said Mike — so what do I do about that ?” The answer was “ What do you want to have at your party ?” Mike thought about that and said . “ Well , I like Minecraft because I played that the other day . It ’ s really cool .”
What happened next was that , on Oct . 4 , Mike had a birthday party . He was now 9 years old . There were lots of children there . Everything was Minecraft — the decorations , the plates , the napkins and an activity for each child to make a Minecraft mask . After the pizza , of course pizza , came a Minecraft cake and Minecraft presents ( Legos and a shirt ) just for him ! Mike asked , “ Can I keep these ?” The answer was an emphatic “ YES , take them home with you !”
What a party that was ! It was organized by the Boys & Girls Aid staff in Portland along with Gail Mann of Charbonneau . Other Charbonneau members , Deanna Morgan , Mary Costa , Jan Bliss , Sandy Shaner , Candy Ferguson and I , all worked on a part of the party but no one did the whole thing . We each did our bit . As the founder of World Vision once said , “ Don ’ t fail to do something just because you can ’ t do everything .” We don ’ t try to do everything and couldn ’ t if we tried .
Each member of the Charbonneau Cypress Branch of Boys & Girls Aid just does her bit . Why do we do it ? We do it because we love to help children who have been through some very tough times and are now being helped by this wonderful organization . Boys & Girls Aid really makes a difference in the lives of the children in its programs .
In Charbonneau we have a luncheon each month and you are welcome to attend . See the posters in the kiosks by Curry ’ s Landing and in the activity center in the small room to the right of the front door . You may call Margie at 503- 694-8186 for further information .
To find out more about Boys & Girls Aid go online to boysandgirlsaid . org . To find out more about this Cypress Branch in Charbonneau go to www . cypressonline . org .
With much gratitude , a respectful salute and great honour , we thank all the men and women in uniform who have lived for the country and who have died for the country .
Lisa Willett
REALTOR ®, Broker Licensed in Oregon
( 503 ) 318-7585 Oregon License # 980800079 Top Performer 2021
I am committed to upholding the REALTOR ® Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice .
Mark Willett
Assistant to Lisa
( 503 ) 348-1008
Warmest wishes on this Veteran ’ s Day .
COURTESY PHOTO
Back row , left to right : Sandy Shaner , Mary Costa , Candy Ferguson , Jan Bliss . Front : Gail Mann
Cascade Hasson Sotheby ’ s International Realty Charbonneau Team
31840 SW Charbonneau Dr , Suite B
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