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| Something that gave John the most pride was helping others. Below is one of his annual e-mails. | ||
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Subject: JOHN'S 6TH ANNUAL CHARITY DRIVE
Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 15:05:00 -0700 From: John.Dexter@ind.alcatel.com (John Dexter) Internal Organization: Xylan Corporation To: ">ALL_CALABASAS" <all.calabasas@ind.alcatel.com> Good Afternoon Everyone, Here's how it will work: It's going to be getting cold again outside and there are going to be some people cold and uncomfortable and they might not have anything to keep them warm. I would hate to think how it must feel to be in that situation to begin with. I am sure most of these folks would prefer not to be there, but for some reason life has thrown them a bad pitch. There are many reasons they could be out there. One of the worst tragedies are single mothers and their children, I know they don't want to be out there but they may have had no choice. Some had an abusive husband they had to get away from, but no where to go to but the streets, or they just could not pay rent, food and bills all together. There are mentally disabled people with no family members to help them. They don't know where to turn to. Some people lost family members or they are just broke and lost their way. There are so many reasons. It's sad to think that it happens, but it does everyday. And I will do everything in my power to see to it that with your help we can help many of these people out this year. I just can't sit back and let this happen with out doing anything about it. Here's what you can do: Go through all your old clothes (for the ladies, I will be taking any nice clothes you have to the battered women's shelter. They try to help them get back on their feet with counseling, they help find them jobs and get back into a normal life again. The clothes you donate will give them some needed self esteem and a nice appearance at job interviews. This could help them out tremendously.) Bring in warm clothes you won't use, sleeping bags, shoes etc. If you would like to go purchase anything, sweat suits and sleeping bags are ideal. If you would like to bring food items, easy open cans are preferred, non perishables, canned goods stuff like that. If you'd prefer to donate money, that will be fine also, I will go out and get what's needed. I will start it off with $100.00 and go buy a few sleeping bags and some sweats suits and if I have any left I will buy some canned goods. I use all the money contributed towards the charity. Gas and all other expenses I take care of myself, that way there is no over head or wasted money. All the clothes and food will be taken to a shelter myself to make sure the people who need it get it. #2 Thanksgiving holiday turkey drive I will send a e-mail out in November. #3 Christmas toy drive - I will send out an e-mail in December for that one I would just like to thank everyone in advance for their help. Last year was awesome, we gathered 16,000.00 and change and made allot of people happy who probably thought the holidays would be dreadful. I can't say we changed their lives but we gave them a hand when they were down and put some smiles on their faces. I am proud to have this honor of running this charity, it certainly makes the holidays happy for me, being able to help those in need. Thank you |
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