Back in 2009 my wife and I adopted a beautiful little girl from an orphanage in China. She had several medical needs and we spent a lot of time at Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.
Because of some of the painful surgeries she endured, she understandably had a major fear of hospitals. But every time we visited the hospital they gave our daughter a toy. When they gave her the first toy I remember thinking that we already had a lot of toys and that she wouldn’t be very impressed with getting another toy at the hospital. But I was very wrong. The toy became a bright spot in a scary day. A welcome distraction from the fear and the pain. I saw firsthand what a beautiful thing it is to bring joy to those who are hurting.
Way to Go National Karate Students!
That experience is what made me so excited to join Cal’s Angels Foundation with their annual toy drive. We explained the need to our students and awarded a “Community Service Stripe” for every toy they donated. To my surprise it was the kids who got the most enthusiastic about helping the kids in the hospital! It was an inspiration to see kids getting excited about being generous. Some brought dozens of toys and earned dozens of stripes! This year National Karate students donated nearly 1,000 toys for kids battling cancer. Over the last 4 years our students have donated over 4,500 toys!
About Cal’s Angels…
Cal’s Angels then delivers them year round to several pediatric cancer hospitals throughout our region including; Advocate Children’s Hospital, Rush University Hospital, Northwestern Memorial and Lurie Children’s Hospital. Cal’s also raises money for the these hospitals and grants wishes to sick kids and works tirelessly to make the lives better for these brave families battling pediatric cancer. For more information you can visit www.calsangels.org.
Whoever Refreshes Others Will Be Refreshed
I want to thank our students who gave so generously and our staff who worked so hard to make this toy drive a success. The Bible says that “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25) This new year I am praying that you will be refreshed because of your desire to refresh others. And for hope and encouragement for these brave kids and their families.
