dragrocker
+1y
Well, I just returned home from dropping off 3 full loads of toys off at 'Sarah's House" with my girlfriend and jordan from ECM . I must say that I feal revived about my self and about 'the system' after my visit there. While we were there I had a chance to talk to one of the ladies who run Sarah's House and was able to ask her some questions about the place and the people. First I will start with the kids. There are as many as 100 (when full, which it is right now) people there at any given time. The lady told me that last year some of the kids were saying that 'this was the FIRST thing they have ever received on Christmas. You and I know its not all about the presents but to a kid.....lets just face it that presents mean just more than toys, almost like someone was thinking of you and cares about you. So without this a lot of these kids feal alone and worthless. The kids here range from 1 month to 18 years old. The one kid 'John' that was helping us unload the trucks was extremely nice. I asked john if he was staying here (he looked young so I figured with his parents). He told me yes, and then said it was him and his son. Needless to say I was shocked! He was actually 22 years old and his son was just 2. Let me tell you that i NEVER would have thought as this kid as someone who would be there. He was very pronounced, polite, educated, and seemed to have a great head on his shoulders. He was obviously not there because of drug addiction ect. He told me he was there to 'get my life together for me and my son.' These are the kind of people that a lot of us don't know exist. We naturally think of drugs and alcohol as the reason a lot of people are in these places when the majority of the time its not the case. Which brings me to how this place works and how it changed my perspective on these places. The place is a 12 week program. They provide a shelter and a foundation for people who want the help. The provide day care and a ride to work to help the people out and help them get jobs. They also help these people get section 8 and housing for when there time is up. They provide pretty much everything you need to get on your feet again. This was not a place for people who live off the system to get a free ride. They said that they do get some of those people, but most of the people really try to make something out of what they have right here right now. They are funded by the gov't and locally. I always thought that these places were for free loaders drug addicts and drunks, and that the kids were the only ones hurting.... I was wrong. A lot of these people just had bad luck and fell on bad and hard times and it's NOT their fault. These people just need a hand, and I am sure its not easy admitting that or for that matter excepting that. Pride is a very touchy thing, and these people have swallowed theirs for the benefit of themselves and their children. Well, to finish this up I just want to say that has in some way changed my life for the better. I never thought the toy drive would go so good, and turn out the way it did. I will pray for these people, and I hope they succeed in their battles in life. Just remember that not everyone is born privileged (compare your life to these people and no matter what you are privileged!!!). And not everyone has a family to turn to. Some people live life alone, and feel helpless. And a LOT of kids get left behind in life. Just remember everyday YOU CAN CHANGE A PERSONS LIFE FOREVER. ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A CHANGE. The real question here is will you ever change another persons life? If not you will never know what compassion and will never understand. thanks for reading this. And thank you to all the clubs and individuals who helped out......CaliStyle, East Coast Minis, Down Syndrome, Lowkey, Xtreme Dimensions, Camber Kings, and many others. You all helped make a difference!