Testimonial
Being part of the Candlelighter’s program for the 2011 Christmas season was quite the experience. I was amazed by the generosity of our BMB family. Every wish for every child was filled. It was remarkable seeing all of the gifts coming together and hearing the stories of each of the family’s that the gifts had been delivered to.
As those kids and their family members received all those presents, you know at that point and time, they are not thinking about their pain or the pain they went through, the sadness or the hopelessness they are just reminded that there is still good out there and BMB was a part of that.
~Andrea Russell
The Rodriguez Family
I had the privilege to deliver Christmas to the Rodriguez family this year with David Connor and Cathy Loredo. I found out quickly it wasn’t just about Christmas for this family.
Isaiah is 10 years old and is battling leukemia. This is a sweet, sweet family caught in the throws of cancer treatments and medicine costs, trying to make ends meet.
When we arrived, the children had their faces to the window and I could hear squeals of joy and excitement as we began to bring their presents in.
As I got to know the family more and visited with all the children, Martha asked if she could talk to me privately. She took me to the boy’s rooms to reveal none of the boys had a bed; they were sleeping on the floor. Her hearts desire for their Christmas was to only have beds for her children but felt it was too much to ask.
When I got back to the office after lunch, I simply sent an email about the need for beds. Out of the generosity of BMB employees and the Charity Committee, I collected enough money for the beds. I made arrangements with Mattress Mac after work that day. He gave me solid wood bunks beds, mattresses, and a twin bed and mattress for cost. I had them delivered to the Rodriquez family by 9:00 that night. I then realized they had no linens for the new beds.
The next day which would bring us to 2 days before Christmas, I drove back over to Wal-Mart by the Rodriguez home to buy sheets and pillows for the new beds. While I was at Wal-Mart, Martha called me in hysterics because their mortgage company had taken an extra $200.00 out of their bank account and she did not have money for Isaiah’s medicine for the month or gas for their cars to get him to treatment. I did not tell her I had extra money at this time but told her I would be over within 30 minutes. I gave her the linens and pillows and $175.00 that was suppose to be for food to use for the $100.00 medicine and $75.00 for gas until her husband got paid again. I was also able to leave a gift of $200.00 for her niece to go buy presents for her 3 children.
As I am sitting in my home on Christmas Eve finishing up wrapping my granddaughter’s presents, I could not stop thinking about the fact the Rodriquez family still needed food. I remembered Herman Murphy asking me if the family needed food. I called Herman and told him their need for food. He quickly responded that he would be happy to drive over to their home and bring them food money. Thank you again Herman for your generous heart and the Christmas Eve elf run!
Throughout this whole experience this family was so thankful to all of you here at Bowen, Miclette & Britt who made their lives so rich in blessings this Christmas. The children said sleeping on beds was wonderful and thought they were sleeping on clouds. Gladys, the niece, said she can never, ever thank us enough for making Christmas for her 3 children.
Just remember, a picture is not always exactly how it looks. I am just so thankful that this family crossed my path this Christmas. I want to thank each and every one of you that participated in making this family whole this Christmas. I couldn’t have done it without you……May God bless you richly for all of your generosity and compassionate hearts.
~Marcine Guyon
