The last two families were the ones I chose right towards the end before we had to do some serious shopping - in fact, on Tuesday morning when we went out shopping for furniture that day. Not much time between Tuesday and Saturday when we had to deliver the wrapped packages!

My philosophy about families was that I needed to find families close enough to our house to get the “stuff” to the loading spot AND families with somewhat big needs. We didn’t deliver directly to the families, but rather, to the spot where the handlers or volunteers were, and THEY took the packages on out. This provided a bit of a buffer for the donors. I’m sure they want to keep it all above board and not encourage the giftees to start looking at the donors as deep pockets to be approached at another time for more money. As such, I was looking for people close to us - but a little bit out. I found a place about 20 min. from us outside of Warsaw that was quite easy to get to. And there were several families with big needs which is what I needed.

So here goes. The last two families I chose.

FAM 5 -

This family consisted of a young mom, 27 years old, her husband, 32, and their two boys, 6 and 3. The dad had become blind in the last year due to an accident and this was causing a lot of financial hardship on them as he had been the breadwinner. Plus, the mom had to quit her job to take care of her husband. This has put them in an almost destitute position - quite desperate.

This is what we got for them:

• laptop for the older son to do school

• food - lots of it as this was a very big need

• cleaning supplies

• bedding - I bought duvet covers for each of the boys and the mom and dad. They specifically said they did not need new duvets themselves.

• I gave each of them a charity quilt - one each for the boys and a big one for the parents - actually I gave them a non charity quilt that I had here at the house that was slated for the Ukraine, but who knows when Mike can get back there to teach again.

• a set of towels for each person in the family

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

• a microwave oven

• a ton of coal to help keep their house warm

• some special supplements for the husband that are supposed to help him - we gave them twice as many as they requested. They said they were very expensive. We spent about $100 on them. Expensive? (Perspective is everything.)

• some earrings for the mom, some COBI - Lego type building bricks for the boys (the older one a Titanic ship and some smaller ones for the 3 year old), and a hair trimming set as requested for the dad. (!) I discussed this with my husband and he said maybe he can give the boys a buzz cut. I also threw in a tractor set for the 3 year old in case he wasn’t really up to Lego bricks.

This family did not have huge needs - except for the food. They had had savings before the dad became blind, but were rapidly going through it. My heart went out to them and I really heaped on the food - basically treating this 4 person family like the 6 and 7 person families that I had.

This is the letter I got from them thanking us:

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 5) 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

We arrived with the package to Ms Ania's family on a fire truck. When Michał and Tomek saw the car through the window, they were very impressed, but when we started bringing parcels home, their amazement was even greater. They did not believe that there are so many of these packages! Ania was also surprised, but happy. The boys started to unpack the parcels in a hurry and check what was inside. There was no end to their delight, they commented on every thing that was in the box. When they finally found their dream bricks, they were very happy. They left the rest of the parcels and started playing with them right away. Ania was very pleased with the microwave and the laptop, thanks to which Michał will be able to learn remotely without any problems. She and her husband thanked for the charcoal they received and was very grateful that they received so many packages of food. She said that she did not expect it to be so much and that it would be enough for her family for a long time.

 A word from the Family

Mrs. Anna and her family thank you wholeheartedly for your help and goodness in such a difficult situation for them. This package will help her live for a long time without worrying about her daily needs. The whole family wishes you a happy and peaceful Christmas!

A word from a volunteer

I would like to thank you very much for your willingness to take part in the Noble Parcel and for the wonderful preparation of gifts for Mrs. Ania's family. Conversations with the Lady during the preparation of the Package were very nice to me. I would also like to wish you, your family, and all those who contributed to the preparation of this wonderful package, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May the good that you passed on to this family in the form of a prepared package come back to you in everyday life. I wish you to meet such kind and good people on your way as you are!

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.

It's good that you are there!

The SZLACHETNA PACZKA team

and finally,

FAM 6 -

This was the last family I chose. I knew I had no more time to do any more shopping than this! With this family, the husband simply doesn’t earn enough - remember, this is outside of Warsaw, I’m not sure how far out they live. The 12 year old son has a health issue and the 5 year old daughter, anemia, which also requires somewhat frequent doctor visits. Mom is also expecting child number 3.

This is what we got them:

• food

• cleaning supplies

• clothing for the 12 year old boy - including pants, shirts and t shirts

• shoes for the 12 year old boy

• a set of pots and a frying pan

• a wardrobe for the 12 year old

• a desk for the 12 year old

• a duvet set for each of the kids and a new duvet and pillow

• charity quilt for each person

• a soft blanket for each - microfiber

• a set of towels for each person

• a ton of coal

• a wallet for the mom

• a thermos for the husband

• a powerful power bank for the 12 year old When I asked the sales guy if it would be too big, he asked me, “Is that possible?”

• They requested children’s shampoo and body wash/shower gel/soap for the 5 year old girl! However, after seeing what all her brother was getting (furniture, shoes, clothing), I simply could not allow this. I did get a set of cosmetics for the girl and her brother - hers was Frozen themed, and his, Hot Wheels, but I also got her a wonderful Paw Patrol set of play figures AND a Natalia doll (like Barbie) with the mom being pregnant, a dad, and a little sister in the set - since her mom is also expecting child nr. 3. I also did add a soccer ball for the boy. (The handler was a guy, what could I expect? LOL)

Here is the letter I got from the handler

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 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 6) 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

After coming to the family with parcels, together with the firefighters, we started to bring parcels one by one, and there was something to bring, as there were about 30 of them. joy, shouting "Santa !!!"). They joked that they wouldn't be able to accommodate everything in the house. Mrs. Jolanta also laughed at one of the packages because of the inscription "For mom and not only". The whole family was happy and thanked for such generous help.

 A word from the Family

The family asks for their best wishes. Happy holidays spent in the company of your loved ones, especially health in this difficult time for all of us, success in life both privately and professionally. They hope that the good will return to you donors.

A word from a volunteer

As a volunteer, I would like to express my warm thanks for the enormous amount of work and financial contribution put into the package. I will not cheat, the number of packages surprised not only the family, but also me. Everything in the packages is new, you could see the diligence and put my heart into their preparation. All family needs met (and even moreover). For my part, I would like to wish you a happy Christmas so that you can enjoy the presence of your family for a few days. I believe that for the help given, the good will come back to you twice.

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.

It's good that you are there!

The SZLACHETNA PACZKA team

There you are! Now you have the feedback as well!

Thank you so much for all the help you gave to us so we could do this. It is obvious by the letters that the families were overwhelmed with the gifts that they received.

Of the 6 families, we are keeping 5 of them warm this winter as only family (FAM 1) lives in a type of apartment that doesn’t have to provide its own heat.

And that’s it for today!

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!