Should Lydia Gamboa and the hundreds of Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels' Adopt-A-Family program volunteers ever need an energy boost, all they need to do is read a few of the thank-you letters from the huge stack sitting near Gamboa's desk.
Among the comments:
---"I want to thank the family that adopted us. I never thought this would happen in our life."
---"There's no words to say but 'God bless you.' You have given us hope and spirit that there are 'angels' out there that still care."
---"We can't give gifts that much, but we can give much thanks, a lot."
---"Everything you sent helped us a lot in many ways. To tell you the truth we never thought there were people out there --- angels --- that would adopt a family like us. You really made my kids believe that there are people who help others like us. Now my kids want to help others when they grow up."
Those were from some of the record 296 families in need that Adopt-A-Family helped in 2005. This year, the list stands at 306 (including more than 600 children), and Gamboa is confident that the generosity of individual and corporate donors throughout Southern California will again fulfill these familes' needs via monetary and material donations.
"For me, every year is a growing experience --- especially in interviewing the families in need," says Gamboa, now in her 17th year as Adopt-A-Family program coordinator. That point was reinforced this year, when --- as usual --- she and her team of interviewers went to some of downtown Los Angeles' poorest apartment and hotel buildings to meet with prospective beneficiary families.
"It was late August, early September, when we had such stifling heat," she says. "So hot, in fact, that in some cases we had to go outside their tiny residences to talk with them. Yet they were telling us they needed blankets, portable heaters, warm clothes --- basic necessities --- because they had no heat in the winter."
The response in the form of donations as well as volunteer support in assembling and wrapping gifts, and delivering huge gift boxes and food baskets on "Delivery Saturday" (this year, Dec. 16) is consistently gratifying, Gamboa says.
"And our relationship with the Los Angeles Police Department has really blossomed," she adds. "They provide support for us as we conduct interviews, and as we deliver the gifts."
Cardinal Roger Mahony annually participates in the delivery effort, as does Msgr. Terry Fleming, pastor of St. Brendan Church, Los Angeles and the director of Adopt-A-Family.
"From the start, Monsignor has said that every child deserves a magical Christmas, to open presents of new toys and new clothes," notes Gamboa. "That kind of sets the tone for what we do."
"Skid Row is home to families and children living on the fringes of society, struggling for daily survival," notes Msgr. Fleming. "It is a world where simple comforts and security seem like unattainable dreams."
It seemed that way for one family, where the father/husband was in prison last December and worried about what kind of Christmas his family would have. "We got a letter from him in June," says Gamboa. "His family was among those Adopt-A-Family had helped, and he was thanking us over and over. You can't imagine what some of these families have gone through, and that really motivates us more to make this time of year a happier time for them."
Canned and/or boxed foods, new clothing, school supplies, blankets, furniture and toys are among the most desired items. Cash contributions are also welcome to assist families, some of whose stories will be described in The Tidings over the next few weeks. Various sponsor options are also available. For information on donations or assisting as a volunteer, contact Lydia Gamboa, (213) 637-7501, or visit www.olacathedral.org, and click on the Adopt-A-Family link on the home page. |