It has been twelve Decembers since I arrived at Ballard and it never ceases to amaze me just how incredible it is to be part of such a wonderful organization; the people, the sights, the sounds, the clients, the children...all of it is just so special. It probably gets really old that I keep saying the same thing over and over, but seriously all of these years later I still love what I do and it is very difficult to convey just how much of an impact Ballard makes in the community and how special it is to sit back and watch it all unfold.
Last year, I held my breath wondering if we would make our goal of $100,000 in 30 days and we surpassed it by so much that I was afraid to tell our Board that I was willing to increase my original goal by that much for this year. :) (I was so humbled by the outpouring of support)
Last January, we held our annual Board Retreat to set goals for our Board and staff for the year, I am always so proud and amazed by the work that our volunteer board does for us each year. They set goals, reached them and went beyond. I am thankful to be part of such a great group of people and to say that I work for them. Thank you Ballard Board.
In September, I watched volunteers, sponsors, donors, staff, barbecuers, brewers and musicians come together to make the 2nd Annual Ballard B3 a reality and a huge success. What an event we had. You can check out our second annual event at www.ballardb3.org. Thank you to our sponsors and donors, we could not have done it without all of you. A special thank you to our staff for working so hard over a four day period! I really do appreciate everything!
On Thanksgiving, I was blessed with watching trucks and volunteers arrive at Ballard and deliver pre-made Thanksgiving meals and then the opportunity to watch staff and volunteers provide the meals to those who needed them. My favorite part was delivering a meal to our neighbors, both who are blind and another neighbor, a Senior who is always taking care of everyone else and forgetting herself. Talk about walking away and feeling like you just won the lottery, those hugs and words were priceless.
Last week I watched as clients filled our hallways completing applications and hoping to be adopted,
Last week I received our copy of the Lawrence Business Magazine and Ballard had a feature in it....love to tell our story... http://www.lawrencebusinessmagazine.com/
The day after, I watched while gifts came through the door from donors who gave from their hearts,
On Saturday, I had the privilege of having the most beautiful date to a Holiday party in honor of her...my wish is to have many more.....On Sunday, it was my honor to serve as her daughter and attend her 90th Birthday party....love you mom.....
On Tuesday, I had the distinct pleasure of hosting our first Holiday Appreciation gathering for sponsors and donors. It was a magical night made even more special by City Wine Market and La Parilla. Our building looked beautiful. Thank you boys for working so hard to help me get it decorated and thank you to our staff for helping that evening. We've never had live string musicians perform in our building before!
Yesterday and today, I watched donors walk though our doors delivering gifts and I cannot stop thinking how lucky I am to live in Lawrence, Kansas.
Tomorrow, I will participate with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, the Lawrence Police Department, the Kansas State Highway Patrol and the KU Office of Public Safety in the first year of Operation T.O.Y.S. (Take Our Youth Shopping). Forty Ballard children will go to McDonalds for breakfast and then to Wal-Mart where they will shop with the officers. Thank you Hallmark and McDonalds for funding this entire outing and thank you First Student for transporting our children. I am so humbled by the generosity and the outpouring of interest in our children.
The day after, I will be thankful as I am every day to have the opportunity to serve such an amazing organization and the opportunity to love the children, families and staff that grace my presence. Every day I count my blessings, every day, I thank those who hired me for giving me the chance to be at a place this special.
Every minute, of every day, I am thankful for you, our donors, our supporters and our staff who give so much to taking care of others, paying it forward and making a difference. If I could give you one present this year it would be the opportunity to see the looks of gratitude on the faces of those who need us.
Bless you and yours this holiday season. Have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
