Gifts from the Heart

December 18, 2009

During our annual holiday open house, the winery sponsored a toy drive.  Many of you inquired what organization we were supporting - to which we explained that each we identify an organization that has a shortage in donations.  This year, we learned of an organization called La Clinica del Pueblo, which provide healthcare services to communities regardless of their ability to pay.  We also learned they provide many other services such as parenting, wellness, and healthcare education services, as well as their annual toy drive and other communities outreach efforts.  They were in need of approximately 400 gifts for children and money to provide a meal to each family member on the evening of their gift distribution.  In less than one week, winery guests donated over 125 gifts, which the O’Brien family matched.  We also received monetary donations from many customers and the Diamond Dream Foundation donated $200 for food and brand new baseball equipment (20 gloves, 100 baseballs, 8 bats, and 10 sets of batting gloves). 

What a blessing this was to an organization that had only received less than one hundred gifts with very little time to spare before the night gifts were to be       distributed.  However, La Clinica del Pueblo’s employees were determined to reach out so no family would leave without a warm meal and a gift for each of their children. 
Mrs. O’Brien had the pleasure of attending the gift distribution and meeting the clinic director and many employees and volunteers, who informed her that we had help raise over 500 gifts!  Everyone thanked the O’Brien family, to which Mrs. O’Brien recognized the overwhelming generous and sincere hearts of their winery guests - and extension to their family.  It is with deep appreciation that each of you is thanked for helping make sure these children had holiday filled with happiness!