This Organization Asks Children In Crisis To Write Down What They ‘Need’ And ‘Wish’ For Christmas And Their Requests Are Heartbreaking
Christmas time is time for miracles, but most importantly, it’s the time where those miracles are often done by completely ordinary people. The charitable Christmas spirit that overwhelms us during the holidays is the perfect opportunity for those that do good on a regular basis to involve more and more people.
A non-profit corporation “Things of My Very Own, Inc.” that provides help to children that are in emergency situations, has decided to reach out to volunteers that could help other kids in need. According to their website, the corporation “provides crisis intervention services to children impacted by extensive abuse and/or neglect” and focuses on keeping non-abusive low-income families together and providing the means to keep children out of foster care. “Things of My Very Own, Inc.” has achieved many awards and honors for its charitable work, including one from President Barack Obama in 2010.
The team of “Things of My Very Own, Inc.” does everything to help out families, especially children, that are in a crisis
“When I was 14-years-old, I was placed in the foster care system. A few months later, another child who was also 14, was placed in the home. She was overweight and came in wearing clothing that would have fit a typical nine-year-old. One night as we were changing for bed, I noticed reddish-purplish welts on her skin from where her clothing had literally injured her. I made a silent promise to her that evening that when I grew up, I would do something to help children like her and I. In 2008 I incorporated Things of My Very Own, Inc. to bridge the gap between what social service agencies are able to provide and what children need.” the CEO and founder of the corporation, Rayn Boncie told Bored Panda.
“When I was in foster care, I was given the slip of paper and asked to write my holiday wish that was under $20. I was very depressed and wanted nothing more than to go home to my mother. I didn’t fill out the slip of paper because I was convinced that no one cared about me, and at the time, I didn’t care about myself either.” explained Boncie. She went on to elaborate on how it all changed. “About a week before Christmas, I was presented with a brown gift bag with a brown twine handle on it. Inside was a hairbrush, a bottle of TRESemme shampoo, and a bottle of TRESemme conditioner. I cried over those hair care products for several days and held onto them for decades as a reminder that someone in the world cared about me, even when I didn’t care about myself. Someone picked me, even though I didn’t fill out the slip of paper.” the founder concluded.
That’s why for the third year in a row, “Things of My Very Own, Inc.” has continued the program where children from poverty line families fill out little “gift tags” with some information about themselves, what size clothes they wear, what are their needs and what they’d wish to receive on Christmas. “Sponsors are being reminded of the important things in life and that children are just little people who like themselves, want nothing more than to be loved,” Boncie explained.
For example, this 3-year-old foster child has requested warm clothes and kids’ body wash. Her wish, however, is to receive a “My Little Pony” figurine for Christmas.
People are encouraged to take these tags and become personal Santas to the children, a sort of a secret-Santa, secret-guardian-angel kind of thing. One of the most beautiful things about this campaign was something no one ever anticipated. “Last year a little girl was sponsored by a gentleman who works at a local car dealership. She needed shoes, and he provided her with a sparkling silver pair, among other things. The little girl reached out to us and stated that she wanted her sponsor to have one of the shoes because she wanted to give back, and share the most beautiful thing in the world with him” Boncie revealed how the children want to give back something to show their gratitude.
Many of these notes add some background information about these homeless kids, and it makes it that much more personal and real and not just a note with requests. This 16-year-old boy who noted that his father had left the family and he needs to support his mother, requested clothes, but would really like to get “Nike” sneakers.
This 11-year-old boy’s note says that he has no friends because of mental issues, and he needs socks and underwear, while his Christmas wish is to get a nerf gun.
Another boy that’s 12 years old really needs a twin comforter set while he’d also like to get a twin sheet set, presumably for the same comforter. He also reports that he has ADHD, and “people think [he is] hyper.”
As a means of encouragement, the “gift tags” include a due date to remind people that the things written down are very much needed. Often times, when you’re in a crisis, the most haunting thing can be waiting. This 5-year-old boy has stage 5 kidney failure and is waiting for a transplant. His family requested a snowsuit, boots, underwear and more. The boy would also like to get anything related to “The Grinch” movies or “PJ Masks” or a “Hot Wheels” car set as a Christmas gift.
The age of the kids that request things varies, but the items they need remain relatively similar. Mostly clothes, basic need items. This 13-year-old’s note says that they’d lost a family member in a fire. Therefore, the family needs personal care items, food, and boots. They’d like to get anything related to cats.
“Each child receives a Wish Tag. Sometimes they fill it out, sometimes their non-abusive parent or caregiver does. Once the Wish Tag is completed, it is sent to a participating business. From there, an individual can go to the participating business to choose which child or children they wish to sponsor. The sponsor then shops for the children and brings the items back to the Crisis Intervention Center. The items are then distributed to the corresponding child.” Boncie explained how the process works.
You can get more information on where to locate these notes and how you can donate by clicking here. Maybe you could help out this 7-year-old boy who needs a full-size bedding pillow and wished for “something for grandma – she’s nice”.
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Share on FacebookWe do a similar thing in my home town, except they don't give as much information, although tbh I wish they did. They give gifts to children up to the age of 16 and they just tell you if it a boy or a girl and their age. I have no idea what a 16 year old boy might want, need, what personality they have. What if I get them a football and they want a proper set of drawing pencils? But this is really well done it helps you get the children both things they need and things they want.
Thank you for your compliment. There are about four of us that run the program. We rely on volunteer support to keep it going. Rayn Boncie CEO/Founder Things of My Very Own, Inc.
Load More Replies...How bad is it when one of the wishes a child puts on his/her Christmas list is food?!? I love the fact that this foundation is doing this. There was a similar kind of thing in my doctors office. I was turned off buying anything for the kids because many were asking for a new iPhone or a new Xbox/PS4/Switch. If I had the money to buy those things, I'd be buying them for my family. I don't mind helping, but some of these kids need to keep in mind that it's not the uber rich that are buying these things. i can buy toys and games, but my wallet has a limit to my generosity. And if I'm going to spend $300-400 on gifts..I'd rather do it helping several children out with what they NEED as opposed to helping one child with what they WANT.
Many of the children don't own basic necessities let alone televisions so their requests are usually modest. Rayn Boncie CEO/Founder Things of My Very Own, Inc.
Load More Replies...There are many local charities at holiday time which is great, however, lets try to help a little all through the year !!!
Because a child who has no christmas morning joy is even sadder than a child with nothing on any other day. I understand what you mean, though, please and I'm not critiquing, just saying it is ok to make extra effort for these kids at Christmas. I assume this charity does exist all year?
Load More Replies...Thank you for helping these kids. I feel for them, since I was once in their shoes, when we lost our house in a fire. It makes a world of difference.
This program appears to be just in NY. If you are somewhere other than NY and want to help a program like this, the Salvation runs a similar program in many areas across the country called Angel Tree (they are an international organization, so maybe outside the country as well). They usually set up in malls where you can take a tag from the tree, buy presents, and return the gifts to the same mall for volunteers to distribute to the family or child on the tag.
You can Sponsor-a-Child in Crisis through our organization regardless of where in the world you live. Just visit our website at www.thingsofmyveryown.org Respectfully, Rayn Boncie CEO/Founder Things of My Very Own, Inc.
Load More Replies...We do a similar thing, my family and I - we aren't Christian but we still have the same values, morals and we believe in Jesus and we know the magic that Christmas brings (Bt Dubbs I LOVE Christmas, but as a kid we had no money and couldn't do much so my mom instilled in me what Christmas was all about by starting this adopting a family for Xmas - we used to have a lot of people involved so we could get all the gifts and food and decorations - now we save up and do it every year on our own instead of giving each other gifts - by choice) - pretty much everything Christmas has to offer is something all kids should get to have... one year the little girl in the family we adopted was told my her parents to write a winter coat and boots but she added a small note saying she loved Doctor Who... well being a TARDIS I had a make her gift as any TimeLord would "Bigger on the inside" - her face was worth getting more than a million Christmas gifts!
What a great way to celebrate Christmas. My Church has a drive each year to raise donations for buying new sleeping bags and coats for homeless people in the city. On Christmas day, we distribute them. We hold it in the parking lot, and each year, more people come and more sleeping bags and coats are purchased and distributed. This will be our third year. 🎄🎄🎄
Load More Replies...Thank you for your support! Respectfully, Rayn Boncie CEO/Founder Things of My Very Own, Inc.
Load More Replies...My heart is now broken. I live in Turkey. Skint. I will continue just doing what I can here I suppose.
You can sponsor one of the children that we serve from anywhere in the world. Just visit our website at www.thingsofmyveryown.org. Respectfully, Rayn Boncie CEO/Founder Things of My Very Own, Inc.
Load More Replies...This breaks my heart and crushes my soul. To everyone involved in this amazing cause, you are all heroes and angels, i thank you all so much and i will be donating shortly. Me and my wife do a lot for charities as we don't have kids so we have free time, mainly animals but we donate to the food banks around the areas, i have played santa for the terminally sick kids at the hospice, we both volunteer at homeless shelters on christmas day and have done for the last 6 years but i want to do more for kids like this. Everyone of those notes just kills me. Anyone know of UK charities like this please let me know, i live in Bristol.
This organization is in my area!!! Last year my little boy needed jeans and pajamas and wanted dinosaurs! I'm definitely doing it again this year!
Thanks for your support Deena! Rayn Boncie CEO/Founder Things of My Very Own, Inc.
Load More Replies...What a wonderful thing to do. We all feel sorry for ourselves from time to time, but this is a real eye-opener. Thank you, Rayn!
Sooo happy to have read this and have the reminder that plenty of people are out there doing good!
In my town, the Salvation Army sponsors a program called Angel Heart, which provides Christmas gifts to children who have a parent in prison. My Church has a program like that which provides gifts for children in families that are struggling financially. We don't receive much info regarding the child (see pic). Both are great programs that provide gifts for children who would otherwise not receive a gift from "Santa." I wish you the best with your program, Rayn. I know it will grow over time. 20181128_2...3df984.jpg
I'd like to help kids who lost everything in the California wildfires.
I was in the foster system for a bit. I was taken from my home, my mom and my brothers. I was put into a house full of strangers. I remember thru a charity I received 2 blankets, a bible, and a stuffed bear. It was extremely rare to have something of your own.(I came with only the clothes I had on when the police showed up) my sister wound up with me and I remember her punching our foster sister over a doll because it was all she had of her own. This foundation seems amazing, and the little things like a new blanket matter so, so much.
When you don't have much, what little you do have becomes so important. People who've never had to want for the necessities of life will never understand (through no fault of their own). They can sympathize, but they'll never truly understand.
Load More Replies...I’m crying on the bus. I can’t afford anything until after I’m next paid so I’ve opened the link and pushed it to one side so it stays open until I can.
The kids who are asking for food break my heart. No child or person at that matter be hungry in the US. No excuses.
I feel so sad when I go to the trees and there are tons of these cards and no one seems to be taking them.
...I couldn’t get past the first one thinking of a 3 year old in foster care breaks my heart.
TBH it's the older kids who hit me in the feels. A 3 yr old isn't even forming proper long term memories yet. A 14yr old knows exactly what the deal is.
Load More Replies...In my local animal shelter we do the same thing for animals that were in hoarding houses, have mental illnesses, have amputated body parts, and are paralyzed. All of these traits for whatever reason stop people from adopting these cats and instead choose a younger cat instead. Every Christmas I always bring toys, blankets, and food for the cats.
This reminds me of a thing a girl at my school put together called Kirsteyns krew(Idk if I spelt her name right) but her and her older sister were taken away from their mom when they were younger(she was 3 and her sister was 4) they never went into foster care because they had family living in the area and they lived with their grandma and a foster care contacted them and said they do this thing every year where people donate money and they take kids on a $200 shopping spree at target and Kirysten thought it was cool so a member of the texans(idk who I dont like sports so) gave her money to start her own and since 4th grade when she started it to now(10th grade) she has made $2,000 just from SCHOOL
One of the family said that the child has STAGE 5 kidney failure, the thing is, is that there are only 4 STAGES OF CANCER. Does this organization verify their needs or something that they aren't lying to get things? I'm just saying that family sounds suspicious cause they first stated about the stage of cancer and also, if their child is " STAGE 5" cancer, why would they need SO MUCH!! Especially snow things when they won't be able to use it! That family doesn't seem right to me!
Kidney failure is not cancer, and stage 5 kidney failure is very much real.
Load More Replies...He needs an outlet, and I'm not sure it's up to you to deny him of the one thing he wants since it's a friggin toy and is harmless.
Load More Replies...These are all amazing, sweet, meaningful asks with incredible stories behind them. Meanwhile, in my town, a kids ask for Fortnite bucks and iPhone X's.
We are very fortunate to be able to work with some of the most amazing children in the entire world. Rayn Boncie CEO/Founder Things of My Very Own, Inc.
Load More Replies...We do a similar thing in my home town, except they don't give as much information, although tbh I wish they did. They give gifts to children up to the age of 16 and they just tell you if it a boy or a girl and their age. I have no idea what a 16 year old boy might want, need, what personality they have. What if I get them a football and they want a proper set of drawing pencils? But this is really well done it helps you get the children both things they need and things they want.
Thank you for your compliment. There are about four of us that run the program. We rely on volunteer support to keep it going. Rayn Boncie CEO/Founder Things of My Very Own, Inc.
Load More Replies...How bad is it when one of the wishes a child puts on his/her Christmas list is food?!? I love the fact that this foundation is doing this. There was a similar kind of thing in my doctors office. I was turned off buying anything for the kids because many were asking for a new iPhone or a new Xbox/PS4/Switch. If I had the money to buy those things, I'd be buying them for my family. I don't mind helping, but some of these kids need to keep in mind that it's not the uber rich that are buying these things. i can buy toys and games, but my wallet has a limit to my generosity. And if I'm going to spend $300-400 on gifts..I'd rather do it helping several children out with what they NEED as opposed to helping one child with what they WANT.
Many of the children don't own basic necessities let alone televisions so their requests are usually modest. Rayn Boncie CEO/Founder Things of My Very Own, Inc.
Load More Replies...There are many local charities at holiday time which is great, however, lets try to help a little all through the year !!!
Because a child who has no christmas morning joy is even sadder than a child with nothing on any other day. I understand what you mean, though, please and I'm not critiquing, just saying it is ok to make extra effort for these kids at Christmas. I assume this charity does exist all year?
Load More Replies...Thank you for helping these kids. I feel for them, since I was once in their shoes, when we lost our house in a fire. It makes a world of difference.
This program appears to be just in NY. If you are somewhere other than NY and want to help a program like this, the Salvation runs a similar program in many areas across the country called Angel Tree (they are an international organization, so maybe outside the country as well). They usually set up in malls where you can take a tag from the tree, buy presents, and return the gifts to the same mall for volunteers to distribute to the family or child on the tag.
You can Sponsor-a-Child in Crisis through our organization regardless of where in the world you live. Just visit our website at www.thingsofmyveryown.org Respectfully, Rayn Boncie CEO/Founder Things of My Very Own, Inc.
Load More Replies...We do a similar thing, my family and I - we aren't Christian but we still have the same values, morals and we believe in Jesus and we know the magic that Christmas brings (Bt Dubbs I LOVE Christmas, but as a kid we had no money and couldn't do much so my mom instilled in me what Christmas was all about by starting this adopting a family for Xmas - we used to have a lot of people involved so we could get all the gifts and food and decorations - now we save up and do it every year on our own instead of giving each other gifts - by choice) - pretty much everything Christmas has to offer is something all kids should get to have... one year the little girl in the family we adopted was told my her parents to write a winter coat and boots but she added a small note saying she loved Doctor Who... well being a TARDIS I had a make her gift as any TimeLord would "Bigger on the inside" - her face was worth getting more than a million Christmas gifts!
What a great way to celebrate Christmas. My Church has a drive each year to raise donations for buying new sleeping bags and coats for homeless people in the city. On Christmas day, we distribute them. We hold it in the parking lot, and each year, more people come and more sleeping bags and coats are purchased and distributed. This will be our third year. 🎄🎄🎄
Load More Replies...Thank you for your support! Respectfully, Rayn Boncie CEO/Founder Things of My Very Own, Inc.
Load More Replies...My heart is now broken. I live in Turkey. Skint. I will continue just doing what I can here I suppose.
You can sponsor one of the children that we serve from anywhere in the world. Just visit our website at www.thingsofmyveryown.org. Respectfully, Rayn Boncie CEO/Founder Things of My Very Own, Inc.
Load More Replies...This breaks my heart and crushes my soul. To everyone involved in this amazing cause, you are all heroes and angels, i thank you all so much and i will be donating shortly. Me and my wife do a lot for charities as we don't have kids so we have free time, mainly animals but we donate to the food banks around the areas, i have played santa for the terminally sick kids at the hospice, we both volunteer at homeless shelters on christmas day and have done for the last 6 years but i want to do more for kids like this. Everyone of those notes just kills me. Anyone know of UK charities like this please let me know, i live in Bristol.
This organization is in my area!!! Last year my little boy needed jeans and pajamas and wanted dinosaurs! I'm definitely doing it again this year!
Thanks for your support Deena! Rayn Boncie CEO/Founder Things of My Very Own, Inc.
Load More Replies...What a wonderful thing to do. We all feel sorry for ourselves from time to time, but this is a real eye-opener. Thank you, Rayn!
Sooo happy to have read this and have the reminder that plenty of people are out there doing good!
In my town, the Salvation Army sponsors a program called Angel Heart, which provides Christmas gifts to children who have a parent in prison. My Church has a program like that which provides gifts for children in families that are struggling financially. We don't receive much info regarding the child (see pic). Both are great programs that provide gifts for children who would otherwise not receive a gift from "Santa." I wish you the best with your program, Rayn. I know it will grow over time. 20181128_2...3df984.jpg
I'd like to help kids who lost everything in the California wildfires.
I was in the foster system for a bit. I was taken from my home, my mom and my brothers. I was put into a house full of strangers. I remember thru a charity I received 2 blankets, a bible, and a stuffed bear. It was extremely rare to have something of your own.(I came with only the clothes I had on when the police showed up) my sister wound up with me and I remember her punching our foster sister over a doll because it was all she had of her own. This foundation seems amazing, and the little things like a new blanket matter so, so much.
When you don't have much, what little you do have becomes so important. People who've never had to want for the necessities of life will never understand (through no fault of their own). They can sympathize, but they'll never truly understand.
Load More Replies...I’m crying on the bus. I can’t afford anything until after I’m next paid so I’ve opened the link and pushed it to one side so it stays open until I can.
The kids who are asking for food break my heart. No child or person at that matter be hungry in the US. No excuses.
I feel so sad when I go to the trees and there are tons of these cards and no one seems to be taking them.
...I couldn’t get past the first one thinking of a 3 year old in foster care breaks my heart.
TBH it's the older kids who hit me in the feels. A 3 yr old isn't even forming proper long term memories yet. A 14yr old knows exactly what the deal is.
Load More Replies...In my local animal shelter we do the same thing for animals that were in hoarding houses, have mental illnesses, have amputated body parts, and are paralyzed. All of these traits for whatever reason stop people from adopting these cats and instead choose a younger cat instead. Every Christmas I always bring toys, blankets, and food for the cats.
This reminds me of a thing a girl at my school put together called Kirsteyns krew(Idk if I spelt her name right) but her and her older sister were taken away from their mom when they were younger(she was 3 and her sister was 4) they never went into foster care because they had family living in the area and they lived with their grandma and a foster care contacted them and said they do this thing every year where people donate money and they take kids on a $200 shopping spree at target and Kirysten thought it was cool so a member of the texans(idk who I dont like sports so) gave her money to start her own and since 4th grade when she started it to now(10th grade) she has made $2,000 just from SCHOOL
One of the family said that the child has STAGE 5 kidney failure, the thing is, is that there are only 4 STAGES OF CANCER. Does this organization verify their needs or something that they aren't lying to get things? I'm just saying that family sounds suspicious cause they first stated about the stage of cancer and also, if their child is " STAGE 5" cancer, why would they need SO MUCH!! Especially snow things when they won't be able to use it! That family doesn't seem right to me!
Kidney failure is not cancer, and stage 5 kidney failure is very much real.
Load More Replies...He needs an outlet, and I'm not sure it's up to you to deny him of the one thing he wants since it's a friggin toy and is harmless.
Load More Replies...These are all amazing, sweet, meaningful asks with incredible stories behind them. Meanwhile, in my town, a kids ask for Fortnite bucks and iPhone X's.
We are very fortunate to be able to work with some of the most amazing children in the entire world. Rayn Boncie CEO/Founder Things of My Very Own, Inc.
Load More Replies...
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