Peachy the Magazine December 2013 | Page 111

INSPIRATION one of many ways to fulfill Bright Blessing ’ s mission : to give homeless children and those in transient living situations the chance to celebrate their birthdays , among other special traditions of childhood .
During a recent visit to the Bright Blessings ’ Giving Village , we talked with Amy , co-founder and Volunteer Executive Director of Bright Blessings . “ From the very beginning ,” she said , “ the Bright Blessings mission has been about helping homeless kids experience the joys of childhood who may otherwise get missed due to a lack of resources and life situations .”
“ Beyond birthdays , we want these children to have opportunities to celebrate fun and memorable holiday traditions just as any other child would , like decorating their own trees at Christmas and trick-or-treating for Halloween ,” Amy said .
For one day each November , the Bright Blessings Giving Village turns into Santa ’ s Satellite Office in the South , where elves are hard at work making Christmas happen . This year , hundreds of volunteers gathered for the 6th annual Joy Jubilee to join in Bright Blessings ’ two signature service activities : “ Stuff-the-Stockings ” and
The Cervantes family
“ Trim-the-Trees .” Volunteers of all ages arrived with gifts to fill stockings or with contributions to sponsor a Trim-a-Tree set . More than 600 stockings and 400 tree sets were prepared to send to homeless children .
“ Together , our collective efforts help ensure that spirits are brightened for kids who may be feeling down during this holiday season ,” Amy said . “ And that ’ s what it ’ s all about : lifting them up , creating joyful memories , and letting them know that they are special .”
DIVINE INSPIRATION
Eight years ago Amy and John , along with family and friends , were celebrating their oldest son ’ s 3rd birthday . They watched as the children swatted the pinata and gobbled down birthday
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