Thursday, October 4, 2018

Through the Years

Hi All -

I hope you are loving fall! Please tell me all about it! I'm surrounded by bats, cobwebs, skeletons and rain, so couldn't be happier. 

I wrote an entire email about this year's Aviana's Elves, then pulled pictures from the past. In attaching a few, I realized my stories rang just as true then as today, so erased all that I wrote.

Now I'm finished and whoa! is this post verbose (can you tell I've been practicing vocabulary with the students : ). 



2011



We delivered to Kaiser and UC Davis today!

Ninety gift boxes were given, with thirty more for Sutter to go :o)


2012



Sometimes you can pinpoint a moment in time. This was it. This was the exact moment that changed Aviana's Elves for this year. It was on this crisp, cold Christmas Eve night. It was this man, with this dog, wearing his cute little red and green striped sweater, on this corner. He was so sweet and thankful for the bag of doughnuts he just received.

I've given food, money and dog bones to many homeless - but there was something about this interaction that stayed with me throughout the entire year. Something that pulled at me. I saw something in him, in them...

I don't know what's in store for the future of Aviana's Elves, but what I do know is this - it will always be drawn in the design of helping those most in need. It makes perfect sense. If you look to Aviana's Guatemalan background combined with the ways in which I've always felt compelled to give, all the pieces fall into place.

We will follow where the need is greatest...always.


2013


 I decided to order a bunch of pizzas and have them sent to the local firehouse on Halloween because I knew that day was her favorite. My husband is a fireman, so they hold a special place in my heart. I included a letter of why the pizzas were being sent along with Avi's blog address so they could see how special Aviana was. 

Alex Infante


2014


The purpose of Aviana's Elves is to bring those who may be going through a difficult time a sliver of light. If only for a moment, we want to let them know someone is thinking of them.  

2015


I know each donation holds personal meaning. One may be in honor of a mother who's missed in not just every inhale, but exhale too. Another may represent a father who passed all too suddenly. For another, this gift may represent a sister who's thought of and remembered in every phase of life, or for a son who was the very center of a family's world. We understand these donations are multifaceted and for the single or many reasons you've gifted us/them - we thank you.


2016

Aviana's Peeps

For all the years of Aviana's Elves, it's been you holding and lifting us through the holidays. And now because of you, we've been given this opportunity. A trifecta of helping, sharing our girl, and healing.



Aviana's Elves

With a host of issues in their homes, I witness the struggle. I feel their pain. I understand that hard mixes with happy, and love has the ability to carry, but still, don't parents intrinsically want the best and most for their children?

Basic needs come first. When hungry, students aren't able to concentrate as well. When cold, they're less communicative. The need is here - for food, for warm clothes, for someone to understand. In my opinion, the kindness and love from others will lift and carry them further than we'll ever know.



2017


And in their names, we find solace in why we give.  Whether it's in honor of the one we miss. Because it feels good. For those we're grateful to be with now. For our families, plain and simple. For your own reason, thank you for joining with ours and making this a truly meaningful time of year.

***

By way of clothing, games, gift cards, holiday meals, urgent or unexpected requests, acts of kindness, and cash donations - thank you for many years of LOVE!

Need, it never goes away. It's abundant, so we give, but boy are we ready to give BIG! 

If you are too...

 Packages can be sent to:


Aviana's Elves
c/o Dave or Jen Hodder
4150 Robert Ave. #4
Carnelian Bay, Ca 96140

Gift cards or cash donations can be mailed to:

Aviana's Elves
c/o Dave or Jen Hodder
P.O. Box 4
Carnelian Bay, Ca 96140

If including a cash donation, you can make the check out to: 
Aviana's Elves or David or Jennifer Hodder.

If you have any questions or would like to donate through Paypal, 
you can contact us directly at -
homesweettahoe@yahoo.com

For delivery shopping and delivery purposes, if you can please send donations by 
the end of November!

 Thank you for thinking of us once again! 

***

Our first family is from Guatemala! They arrived recently and include a single mother and two daughters. I worked at a summer program the girls attended and they are a dream. They're sweet and smart. One is in first grade and the other fifth. I have so much to say, but for now - Guatemala and my heart is full 💗
More to come on sizes, etc.

Our love to you all!

Dave, Jen & Rainey