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Posted August 20, 2009
Merry Christmas! Twenty and some years ago, in early Fall, I got a call at the office on behalf of the Big Brothers - Big Sisters of Chicago, to order some magazines to support them. I had been Santa in my 5th grade play, and being in the toy business, I ‘toyed’ with the hope and dream of one day (ie: visualized this outcome), being Santa again, providing and handing out gifts to deserving girls and boys.
So I told the BBBS ‘no thanks’ on the magazines, but asked if they needed someone to provide toys, and maybe even be Santa for them at the holidays. Turns out they did. Their current Santa was not available, and the sponsor that was providing toys and gifts was no longer providing for them. Bingo. We got the job. Funny how visualizing these things works.
No wonder they lost Santa and donor. They didn’t deserve the appellation ‘organization’ they were so disorganized. I had to explain on more than one occasion to my team of Elves, (the best Elves south of the North Pole by the way), when they came away annoyed, frustrated and swearing never to do the Big Brothers thing again, that it was not about the organization, it was all about the kids. Somehow we kept coming back year after year. Thank you, thank you, and thank you again to all of you who over the last two decades and counting have so generously donated the toys and games that have gone to less fortunate children throughout the Chicago area. Friends and colleagues from Hasbro, Mattel, Pressman, Jakks, Spinmaster and many others come to mind as regular and generous partners in this endeavor. Thank you. And once again, the wheel turns, the cycle begins. Ready or not, you will be hearing from us soon, as the 2009 Big Brothers - Big Sisters holiday party is already scheduled for December 5th. They are a real organization these days, run by professionals, and, well, organized. However much we like the new and improved Big Brothers - Big Sisters, it has always been about the kids. The Big Brothers and Big Sisters serve the kids in a way that no other organization does. We are proud to be a part of what they do. Come join us - be a guest Elf. Auditions will be held soon. Stay posted.
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