Woodbourne, Baltimore Maryland
I first learned about Woodbourne from Meg Fairfax Fielding, a blogging friend who writes Pigtown Design. Meg works at Woodbourne and through her, Ben and I were introduced to this wonderful, caring facility. Woodbourne started out in 1798 as an orphanage and it is one of the oldest of its kind in the United States. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, it is today a non-profit organization that cares for children in desperate circumstances. The children at Woodbourne all have lived through some kind of trauma: addicted parents, abuse or neglect, or mental health issues. Many of these children live full time at Woodbourne, where they are given the tools and skills needed in order to one day return to their home or community.
During the holiday season, the faculty makes a video asking the boys what they want for Christmas and what Christmas means to them. Their requests are small and simple: a notebook, a game boy, some candy, a notepad, pens, new shoes, batteries, a cookbook, and on. Some just want to go home for Christmas. Some worry about the other children at Woodbourne, not themselves.
Oh boy. Just watch the video, below, and think about what is on your own Christmas list to compare. I know it made my list seem so frivolous, so wasteful.
Last year, I invited you to watch the video and your response was overwhelming. It was immediate and large. Together, we raised a lot of money for the Christmas Wish List at Woodbourne and it made a huge difference in the children’s lives. Their wish lists were actually granted with the help of your donations. Let’s try to do the same thing this year. I am hoping that you will watch this year’s video. Afterwards, if you have it in your heart, would you please donate to these children so that together we can make their Christmas wishes come true? Any amount is welcomed and appreciated. It’s very easy to donate – there’s a PayPal link here: http://www.woodbourne.org/makeacontribution. If you don’t do Pay Pal, please email Woodbourne directly here: e-mail or telephone at 410.433.1000, ext. 2230.
WATCH THE 2010 VIDEO HERE – DOUBLE CLICK ON THE ARROW:
Your contribution, no matter how large or small, will make a huge difference. Please join Ben and myself in making a difference this year.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.Wishing you and yours a safe, happy and healthy Holiday Season.
Joni and Ben Webb