We thought you might like to see a few of the thank you's we received. Here is just a small sample.

Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare Center

...I pride myself on my writing ability but words fail me now. I cannot find the words to thank you for the generosity of those 300 hats and gloves sets. Let me give you a brief insight thru a short conversation I had with a patient the day after Christmas. This gentleman was singing carols as he worked in my office area. (Not his usual persona). Someone remarked how happy he sounded. He said "Well, it is Christmas!" I asked him if he had a particularly good Christmas and he replied, "It was the best I can remember because we ALL got gifts and I knew people cared". He was not alone in that sentiment as more patients than usual commented on how special this year's holiday was for them. To us it may have seemed a simple thing to receive a hat and gloves. To people here it was a beautiful seasonal bag with a present that was just for them - and much needed as well! Thank you once again for the generosity of your church congregation... I cannot begin to express my thanks to you and the people who contribute these gifts. It is truly a blessing. Please believe you truly touched people's lives this season".

St. Bernard's SVDP

... Thank you again for the many useful gifts your parish donated to St. Bernard's. We are so grateful you "adopted" us again this year. Seldom, if ever, do we receive new items, wrapped beautifully, tagged and ready to distribute... The happy faces and sincere appreciation from all who received are testimony to the generosity of all the St. Barnabas parishioners".

Cleveland Social Services...

... On behalf of the children and families served by Applewood Centers and Children's Aid Society, thank you for your generous donations... by 'adopting' 300 children from early start, foster care, and residential services for the holidays. Many of our staff witnessed first hand the spirit of giving, as mothers cried when new toys and clothes arrived for their children and the faces of our residential youth lit up with excitement as they tore open the wrapping on gifts that were purchased by your organization. For many of our children, these gifts may be the only new item they will receive all year." Thank you again for going above and beyond your civic duty for children less fortunate. Your dedication to the children and to our community during these difficult economic times is truly inspiring."

Local Families

"I  would like to thank whoever was responsible for the food and gifts that my family and 1 received for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I hope that someday I can help someone else in the same way. It means so much to know that there are people who care".

"Truly heartfelt Thanks for your extreme generosity this Christmas. Your efforts to get my children the things they asked for were touching and made my children light up with joy this Christmas. Words hardly seem enough to convey our gratitude".

"We can't thank you enough for ALL the wonderful food you provided us with this holiday season. You are always our guardian angels in our times of need".

"With all our problems, failing health, job issues, the cold weather and financial issues, we are so grateful for all the help you provided for our family".

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Thanks for your help and good will in making our Giving Tree a huge success. We always breathe a sign of relief when we're done delivering all the food and gifts and it comes out all right. We wish you could see the basement of the rectory before we deliver everything. It's absolutely amazing - and heartwarming to see all the gifts getting ready to go.

This year we delivered approximately 1800 gifts to 50 local families and 10 area charities and organizations. Also, because of your financial assistance, we brought Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and food to 50 local and OPEN M families. We also were inundated with requests for help with rent, food, utilities, and medical assistance and have been able to respond because of your generosity.

Special thanks go to our parishioners who "adopted" families, the MOM's Club (who transported gifts to the rectory and sorted them), our SVDP emergency shoppers (who took time out of their hectic schedules to shop for last minute gifts that didn't come in), and our special "Mrs. Santa" benefactor whose financial help made a lot of purchases possible (you know who you are)