Last year at this time I learned a lesson I will never forget. It's a lesson about giving. And making a real difference. I and a handful of volunteers were able to help some people out, in a small but important way. These were people who (according to stringent Head Start criteria -- see paragraph #3, below) are among the most in need of some help, here in Milwaukee.

Take a moment to see some of the faces of the folks I was privileged to serve. They were the pre-schoolers, their parents and other family members, who were at a holiday celebration held Thursday, December 18, 2008, in the basement of a church on the corner of Milwaukee's 54th Street and Capitol Drive.

These 4 and 5-year-old children are from families that are often struggling for the basics, let alone a head start on their school years. For example, in order to qualify for this head start program, a family of three must have a pre-tax household annual income of less than $18,000.

Last year we helped out nearly 70 under-served preschoolers and their families through this event. We did it with a lot of hard work, but just as importantly, the caring cash donations of many friends, family-members and co-workers. We're planning to do it again this year, on Thursday, December 17, but it won't be as good without your help. Yes, you. Here's what we provided last year (suffice to say we're already hard at work on our preparations and plan to top ourselves!):

• We served everyone a meal. This is not to be undervalued, because many parents (often, single parents) came there right from work
• We provided them an 8" x 8" canvas bag with their name on it, containing crayons, pencils, a coloring book and a book mark. We're going with bigger bags this year, to contain even more goodies
• A "decoration station" gave the kids a chance to further decorate their bags. It was a wonderful sight!
• A second table, the "cookie station," let them have fun decorating a ginger bread man that they each received (Full disclosure: Last year we baked them all. This year we're going another route and focusing our efforts in more elaborate winter apparel gifts, described below).
• A photo booth took the shots you see. We printed the portraits on the spot, so the parents had a photo for the fridge -- in a foam picture frame that their little ones decorated at yet another decoration station!
• Yet another booth was to make "super balls" -- a toy the kids, again, customized before adding them to their bag of goodies

Also, last year each child received a pair of knitted winter gloves and a fleece scarf, labeled with their names on them. (You wouldn't want them being misplaced in the classroom!) This year we're making fleece hats to match the scarves. They're looking really good!

Here was one of the most wonderful parts of the evening: Families drew names for receiving gift baskets, filled with hot cocoa mix, canned goods, flour, pancake mix, syrup, etc. -- over $20 worth of staples and a few indulgences. Wow! You would not believe the excitement as each winner was announced. These clearly were extremely appreciated by the lucky families! Here's is one shot (click on the photo to see other shots from the event, including other winners):

You can add to the joy! The only financial support we received last year was from donations of people like you. Each $20 donation we received helped us purchase one more basket of food, or went toward other necessary supplies. Please pledge whatever you can. Any amount would be appreciated. You can reach me at JLarche [at] Gmail [dot] com, or use this contact form on my business blog. If you want to donate directly, use PayPal. Email me and I'll give you my PayPal account information.

Everyone who donates and asks for one will get a letter with the proper non-profit info, so this can be used on your taxes.

Do you have other holiday charities? Are you unable to give because of this tough economy? I understand. Thank you for considering this. But if you don't, I and my fellow volunteers will be supplying photos here and on Flickr again this year, of the many happy memories that you will have helped produce for these deserving kids and their families.

Last year the total amount contributed was $628. We're currently about two-thirds of the way to that amount. Please help however you can. Please consider giving right now.

Thank you.