I can’t even express in words how grateful and blessed we felt. The gifts were perfect my daughter got everything she wanted and more. The gift baskets just keep giving and giving and we are still using some of the house cleaning and personal hygiene items today. Everyone who came to the house that day were incredible. Then, oh my goodness, you came to the house, not with one bag, not with two bags but three bags of wrapped gifts, gift baskets, and a bike - I could believe my eyes. When we were notified by the Sparkle Foundation that Christmas was going to be delivered to us, all I could do was cry I couldn’t believe what was happening. Had the Sparkle Foundation not chosen us, I don’t know what would have happened to Christmas. During this time, I wasn’t even thinking of Christmas, I was so wrapped up in my diagnosis and treatment. Long story short, things became difficult for us. I was constantly going back and forth from appointment to appointment until my surgery and then again after surgery. You helped us at a time we needed help the most, and you gave us Christmas. In the Fall I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a double mastectomy. YOU HELPED US AT A TIME WE NEEDED HELP THE MOST thanks to the Sparkle Foundation, their hard work, their amazing donors, and this community that we live in. The holiday season was very special for family and for me. The children were giddy with excitement and appreciation. My friend was so thrilled to be able to provide such a special holiday season to her children and her niece. This family was also completely overcome by the experience. I was completely overwhelmed at the generosity and display of giving. This was an absolute avalanche of beautiful gifts for this family. This was not a couple of gifts for each family member. I could not wait to hear about the amazing Christmas celebrated by her and her children. When I found out that she was chosen as a recipient of the holiday gift program, I was elated. I nominated her for the holiday gift drive without telling her and crossed my fingers. I do a lot to help this woman and her children, but I am only one person. She just keeps her nose to the grindstone and puts in 110% effort to giver her kids a good upbringing. She does not ask for help and she does not expect handouts from anyone. She does not blame her situation on anyone else. She always has a smile on her face and she is always looking to do nice things for other people. She gets no time off from working and being a mom. This woman works every day to put a roof over her head and somehow (barely) make ends meet for her children. She is afraid to go forward with a divorce or pressing him for child support because her immigration status is reliant on their marriage. She does not receive any financial assistance from him. She is technically married, but has lived apart from her husband for many years. She is a hard working mother of young children, and she is also helping to raise one of her nieces. This person is near and dear to my heart. "I nominated someone very special to me to be the recipient of the Sparkle Foundation's holiday gift giving. The photo below isn’t an example of that but it is me and my very good friend Sarah Harkness having an incredibly long overdue catch up when neither of us know the other was going!! Also fab to see Sudipta (Sid) Moore FCA, Sarah Lynch, Anna Jackson, Livia Johnson, Sarah Birdsey (very briefly!!) and many others.OVERWHELMED AT THE GENEROSITY AND DISPLAY OF GIVING (I haven’t reviewed mine since her talk so there may be changes coming!) Last but by no means least Julie Harris □ HIDING to SHINING ✨ PHOTOSHOOTS □ showed how great photography can show you in the best light on social media. JUDY Parsons spoke about our LinkedIn branding. Angela herself spoke of her recent transformation on social media which was, as Angela always is, honest, authentic and vulnerable. We heard from Girls Out Loud about their amazing work partnering young women (year 8) with an older female mentor and the difference it makes to both. Last night Angela Wood (CTA) (Non-practising solicitor) of ETC Tax hosted “Sparkle and Shine”, an evening dedicated to improving female professionals and entrepreneurs’ personal brands. Sparkle and Shine, probably my favourite song from the wonderful Christmas film Nativity… but not what last night was about.
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