A Christmas to Remember

It all started when I decided to use my December 2009 Motiv8nU Fundraiser Party to give someone special a great Christmas present!! After connecting with Caleb Luper we chose an under-resourced high school girl involved in Triple Threat programs and her family.

I went around town gathering donated raffle items: massages, gym memberships, restaurant gift cards, gift baskets, etc.  The day of the fundraiser, a nasty snowstorm kept away half of my guests. We raised $100 that day, but needs far outweighed wants for the girl we wanted to help. Guests and friends continued to bring gifts in.

I wanted this to be special, meaningful, and comfortable for her, and her mom and family.  So I wrote a poem in a journal for her. Everyone included a personal message inside so she’d have a real connection with those that had helped her. Gathering the gifts, we arrived at her home. I read the poem to her and we distributed gifts: things she needed, some things she wanted, something special to earn, some items for siblings, and even something for her to give to her mom!

Smiles lit up faces. It was actually pretty emotional for all of us.  I shared my personal story about when I was 16, living in my car and showering in the gym. Being homeless is tough and I wanted her to see that hard work, dedication, character, and perseverance do pay off! Honestly this was the best Christmas because all of us that contributed were able to see what the true Christmas spirit is really about. And we made some great new friends in East Aurora!

Staci Boyer, a Triple Threat partner , is a personal trainer, motivational speaker, and founder of Motiv8nU.  Watch for Staci’s first book Motvi8nU to be published December 2010!