Our first visit was to the new home of Esmerelda and her three children: Kylie, Edgar, and Christopher. For 8 years, they waited for their own home while sharing a room in the house in an unsafe neighborhood. Their new home was essentially empty when we arrived. Their living room was bare, they didn’t have a dining room table or chairs, and the children were all sleeping on the floor.
While the family left, our volunteers built furniture, hung photos, and made their house into a home.
There were tears and broad smiles when the family returned to their transformed home. Kylie screamed with excitement when she saw her house – running from room to room — and was ecstatic with her girly Shopkins-themed bedroom and toys.
Four-year-old Kylie gave each of the volunteers a strong hug, and the two boys shook each volunteer’s hand, thanking them for all they had done. With tears in her eyes, Esmerelda kept saying, “It’s so beautiful. Thank you, thank you.”
A heartfelt thank you to all the donors and volunteers who brought joy and hope to these families. You have changed their lives in a way they will never forget.
And as always, we could do none of this without the gift of CHIPMAN RELOCATION AND LOGISTICS.
With gratitude,
The Grateful Gatherings Marin Team
