Leisure World News

A4 December 2021 • Community • www.lwca.com flashcards, face cloths, comb and brush set, jewelry or jewelry making kit, fishing kit, sewing kit and a yard of cloth, plastic drinking cup, utensils, toothbrush (no toothpaste), clothing item or outfit, flip flops or shoes, sunglasses, hair ties, handkerchief, bandana, sheet of fun stickers, jump rope, ball pump and soccer ball (deflate before shipping — I know you knew that), Legos, Hot Wheels, gloves, hat, etc. Are you excited yet? Well, put on your Santa hat and play elf by buying or even making the items to put into your box. I started with one shoebox. Then two grew to five. And now, I dedicate money to fill 20 shoeboxes each year. The COVID-19 pandemic messed me up last year, but I am back in the sleigh. The shoeboxes are filled to the brim, two thick rubber bands securely holding in all the goodies! Getting Started You start on this Operation Christmas Child experience by getting a shoebox, as close to the size of 13 x 7.5 x 4.7 as you can. Then, wrap it with Christmas paper. Or perhaps, maybe you prefer to purchase a green sturdy plastic preprinted OCC designed shoebox with a red lid at Hobby Lobby (Greenfield Rd, near I-60). You can even purchase a plastic box with lid near the size above anywhere you wish. Just make sure the plastic is good enough to be stuffed and jostled during shipment without breaking. Now, pack the shoebox for an individual child; ages 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14. Then, find the closest collection location — usually a church (Broadway Christian Church is where I bring mine). Once the collection location receives your box(es), they pack 23 to 25 shoeboxes into a big cardboard crate. Away They Go At the end of collection week, the crates are loaded into private trucks, vans and SUVs and driven to the central collection location. All the crates are loaded onto semitrucks and driven to the distribution warehouses. The closest one to Leisure World is a toss-up and is either California or Texas. In the distribution warehouse, a cursory inspection is made to retrieve the shipping cost of $9 if placed inside, and to remove any forbidden items such as liquids (including toothpaste), food, candy, glass or war/ military-themed items. Then, off the shoeboxes go! You can even purchase the OCC shipping label (with bar code) online to find out which country your boxes are delivered. For more information about Operation Christmas Child, visit https://www.samaritanspurse.org/occ or contact Kim Hansen at kahansen58@gmail.com. -Kim A. Hansen is a Leisure World resident. Halloween Dog Costume Contest Submitted by Jeanne Gardin It was an exciting afternoon at the Leisure World Dog park on Halloween! More than 15 dogs appeared in costume to compete in the Annual Halloween Dog Costume Contest. Everyone bringing their precious pets provided a table full of dog treats, plus human food to share. In addition to the excitement over the costumes, everyone admired the progress being made on the improvements to the dog park. Everyone — including the dogs — is thankful that Leisure World is providing for the comfort and relaxation of all residents, including our furry friends. The 2021 winner of the Halloween Costume Contest went to Sugar Pie, dressed as a convict, and identified as “Bad to the Bone!” Maltichon Sugar Pie won a large bag of doggie treats and an award certificate for best costume. Her “mommy” (owner), Catherine Porter won a package of Halloween napkins for her efforts in helping Sugar Pie get ready. Judges Kay Jost and Katherine Scheidler had a difficult time performing their duty because of all the great costumes, so they were happy to give out several honorable mention awards. The dog park is located on Leisure World Blvd. between 65 and 66 Streets. Stop by sometime and see all the new improvements, which includes the planting of lots of trees that will eventually provide wonderful shade in the hot summer months. If you want to see the most beautiful dogs, our regulars normally gather daily between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. I hope to see you and your furry friend soon! -Jeanne Gardin is a Leisure World resident. Have a vehicle you need to sell? I can help you with that too! Car Buying Carol Day, your Automotive Expert! Looking for a new or used car and don’t want to visit a dealership? Call me at 602-241-3904 or email me at cday @ aaacbs.com so I can start helping you today! I can help you through the entire process, saving you time, money and the dreaded hassle! Yes, buying a car can be fun! Operation Christmas Child: A Santa Claus Opportunity By Kim A. Hansen The times are not like they used to be; COVID, strange weather, and rising prices exponentially. They forewarn of issues, getting gifts in time; Our Christmas season, may be disrupted — Oh fine! Let’s turn this around, think of ways to cheer; Share pictures, stories, and lore of yester-year. You have family stories, ones never shared; Make a book, or recording, and give to family out there. Support one another, even strangers you meet; That’s Christmas giving, no issues can unseat! Start making that gift, the one from the heart; The gift will arrive, you just need to start! -Kim A. Hansen is a Leisure World resident. Christmas Gifts Maltichon Sugar Pie winner with her mom Catherine Porter. Kim packing up Christmas gifts for OCC in August 2021. continued from A1.