This is a continuation of Saturday’s post where I’m giving you feedback that I received about the next two families that you all provided for for a wonderful Christmas!

FAM 3 was a single man - they call him “Marek”. He has struggled with cancer - used to be an alcoholic til about 16 years ago when he quit drinking. But he remains unable to work due to the cancer/chemo he has been undergoing. He’s 60 - so not an old man.

This is what we gave him:

• food

• cleaning supplies

• a duvet cover set

• new duvet and pillow

• a charity quilt I thought a man his age would like

• new towels

• a new bed - full size - his old one was broken

• a gas stove

• a washing machine - he had been washing clothes by hand

• a light fixture - simple 3 bulb fixture

• bedside lamp for reading

• a ton of coal

• some sweets which he asked for as he likes to have people over for tea/coffee. Because of that, I also gave him extra tea/coffee.

Here is the thank you letter I received from the organization/Noble Packages: I received it in Polish and am using Google translate. It doesn’t always make a perfect translation, but I think you can understand it.

Szlachetna Paczka is not only a Christmas gift for the most needy, but above all an impulse to change. It is wise help based on establishing a relationship with another person who needs attention and interest. Thanks to you and your loved ones, those affected know that there is someone who notices them and believes in them. Regaining hope for a change in life is the best gift you could have given this holiday season.

Thank you for helping those who are out of luck.

We invite you to read the impressions of the Family (FAM 3) and the Volunteer from the Weekend of Miracles, during which your package reached the Family.

Report from the meeting with the family when handing over the package:

The family, or rather one of its members, an elderly man, had been deprived of livelihood by his cancer. His modest pension is not enough for fuel, medicines and food. What happened on the Weekend of Miracles was beyond his wildest imaginations. First, the coal has arrived, which will provide him with a warm home in winter. In the evening, the volunteers and the helping Fire Department brought 20 huge packages. The firefighters brought a bed, a washing machine and a gas stove with a dream oven. The volunteers, together with Mr. Marek, began to unpack the boxes with so many necessary things in them with great enthusiasm. The older man had tears of happiness in his eyes. He enjoyed the oven so much and promised to bake a cake for his friends for Christmas. He cannot wait for his friends to help him put together a new bed and for the first time in years he will be able to sleep in brand-new bedding. He was also delighted with the chandelier. As he admitted, he did not see more beautiful. His Gratitude is hard to describe. He said it was the most beautiful Gifts he had ever received in his life. He will not forget what happened for the rest of his life.

A word from the Family:

Mr. Marek, wishes all Donors a healthy and peaceful Christmas, which you can spend with the knowledge that thanks to you, despite the misfortune that happened to him, a smile will appear on his face, and his table on Christmas Eve will be full of food and the house will be warm. Priceless...

A word from a volunteer:

Mrs. Rebecca and all the Friends who contributed to the creation of this beautiful, Noble Package. I want to tell you that what we have done together for this man is worth every effort you have devoted to preparing this priceless Gift for Him. It is a gift of the heart and the hope that he will not only survive this winter, whether he has his dream kitchen, washing machine or bed, but also the belief that he is not alone in the world and that there are good people who can share something with his humble person. With your love.

Big, moving THANK YOU.

Thank you for accompanying us in helping those less fortunate in life. Only together can we make moving stories like those described in the 2020 Gap Report only fewer.

This “handler” was probably the most experienced one and very communicative and I appreciated him very much. He sent me lots of pictures, so I am sharing them with you all.

If the pics were of someone straight on, I felt like I had to blur their faces a bit as they passed a law in Europe a couple of years ago that without permission we can’t even use photos of people that would be recognizable -

and now -

FAM 4

This family is made up of a single lady, “Barbara”, 54, with her 5 almost all adult, single children. They live out of the city - more in a village, shall we say. As such, work is tight and low paying.

The mom has had cancer and a stroke and is struggling with it- has rehab. One of the older daughters is spending full time taking care of mom. The other two adult children work to pay for the needs of the household. The youngest two children are still in high school.

This is what we got for them:

• coal - 2 tons

• stationary bike for “Barbara” to do her rehab exercises on as before they were having to go somewhere for her which was quite arduous

• food

• cleaning supplies

• clothing items as specifically requested - coats, sweaters, trousers/pants, t shirts, long sleeved tops, etc They gave me sizes and requests - which for 6 people amounted to quite a bit of shopping as each person got 3-4 items

• tennis shoes for each one - I tried to buy name brand for all the adults so hopefully they will last a long time

• backpacks for each of the two teens in school

• duvet cover sets for each one

  new duvets for each one and a new pillow

• a charity quilt for each one - I chose what I thought each might like based on the information I was given - for example, I was told that the mom (54 years old) liked green, so I gave her a charity quilt with a lot of green on it

• a set of towels for each one

• a blanket for each one (microfiber - very soft)

• a Wardrobe as they had one closet area for all 6 people and it wasn’t enough. We had a specific size we were looking for

• a food processor

• a pasta maker (specifically noted that they do not buy pasta but make it and would love one)

• laptop for one of the two teens in school

• a big pot/new frying pan for the mom - requested by her

• a 2000 piece puzzle for the oldest guy as this is what he requested

• an ax for one of the ladies as requested (we got her both a chopping one and a splitting one)

• basic cosmetics like shower gel set

• a soccer ball for the teen guy

• a cordless screwdriver set and another tool for the lady who does a lot of home repair work

This is the letter that we got from the handler concerning this gift.

Thank you for changing the history of less fortunate families with us!

Szlachetna Paczka is not only a Christmas gift for the most needy, but above all an impulse to change. It is wise help based on establishing a relationship with another person who needs attention and interest. Thanks to you and your loved ones, those affected know that there is someone who noticed them and believes in them. Regaining hope for a change in your life is the best gift you could give this holiday season.

Thank you for helping those who are out of luck.

We invite you to read the impressions of the family (FAM 4) and the volunteer from the Weekend of Miracles, during which your package reached the family.

Report from the meeting with the family when handing over the package:

The family was delighted and touched at the same time. They couldn't believe they had received such help. All members helped firefighters carry the packages. They did not know how to say thanks for such a beautiful gesture and gift. They believed that there are still people who care about others and want to help selflessly. The next day, the family sent photos of how they use the received equipment, assembled a wardrobe and an exercise bike, which will be used by Basia for daily rehabilitation.

A word from a volunteer:

In the packages prepared by you, you can see a great commitment and care for the family you have chosen. The willingness to help and to make others happy was huge. I am very glad that you chose the family that I looked after and I had the opportunity to meet you and cooperate with you. Conversations with the Lady were very nice. Thank you for your kindness and willingness to help. I wish you a lot of health, a smile and all the best for Christmas and in the New Year!

Thank you for accompanying us in helping those less fortunate in life. Only together can we make moving stories like those described in the 2020 Gap Report only fewer.

So there you are! These two particular handlers sent me several pictures, which was very nice! I did not talk with either of these families on the phone or in person, unlike the first two in Saturday’s post.

Thank you again for those of you who helped. You have indeed helped this family - not just for one day - but for life. I appreciate it and please know how much your money has improved lives over here in Poland!

To me, it is important that you all have this feedback as I have since I was only the shopper/collector. :)

Have a great day wherever you are reading this! Stay safe!

Be sure to check out what my sis has for you in the store here!

Here’s one of the beauties we have!

it’s Mallard Ducks flying over the Water - by Hoffman!