11/23/2015
I know it's not Thanksgiving yet, but I don't want this to be buried with everyone else's posts.
I want to say how thankful I am for so many kind hearted people. First there's the folks from the McLean Bible Church, with Susan Kalaine at the lead. These guys have helped me with Heidi's Pantry - Fort Belvoir for a full year now. They have made sure we have had dinners and extra groceries not only for our events, but also for open houses. They have helped us provide jackets for almost every single one of them. They have given me volunteers, which with what I do and my physical limitations, has been such an enormous help. I really can't say enough.
I'm thankful for Nalls Produce, and Valerie Nalls, who I am in constant contact about opportunities to help military families. Almost 100% of the vegetables and fruit we offer at every single open house comes from there. Not only that, but we are getting help with Thanksgiving meals as well. Thank you so very much for your kindness.
I'm thankful for the Springfield VFW, and their contact Linda Bond. For the last 2 years they have adopted entire families and made sure they have lots of food and more gifts than they imagined. They have supported me through clothing drive, jackets, food, and helping me with the ability to give tax receipts this year. They are so kind and understanding and I am thankful for them.
I'm thankful for the units on Fort Belvoir, the Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Omicron Theta Zeta Chapter, Mike Johnson and his co-workers, Sue Whelan and her co-workers, and so many others who took the time to help do canned food drives, coat or clothing drives, or make food donations to Heidi's Pantry so we would be assured to have enough food for the 90 families, YES 90 THIS YEAR, that we are helping. There is no way I could provide this without your help. You are amazing and I am truly grateful to have you on my side.
And then there are the families that volunteer. Andrea Barreiro and her family, Jacquie Florentino and Tim Florentino, Jeanelle Kuziw, Samantha Mendez-Diaz and Rafael Diaz, Elizabeth Brothers, and please forgive me if I forgot anyone. It is not intentional. These people have helped me set up, distribute, clean up, pick up food, store food, drop food off, helped with my kids because of my schedule, helped with food or clothing donations, have been my friends and let me vent when I'm frustrated, pack boxes, network to get families adopted and cared for for the holiday, and just so much more than I can say. They are my family and I am so so thankful to you for your help, love, and encouragement. I love you all so very much.
Finally, but certainly not the least, I'm thankful for my mother, Jean Hallock Light and my dad, Warren. Who encourage me and love me. Who repost when I need help, and brag about what I'm doing next. I love you both so much. My sister, Renee Santamour Curley, soon to be Hill, I love you for calling me to make sure I'm okay and checking on me. For sending me horrible jokes that make me want to wreck my car into a tree. And for helping me keep an eye on my babies. All my children, Anissa Nicole Vance, Kathleen, Amanda Contreras, Rebekkah, CJ, and Jonathan. You help, sometimes complain about it, but you do it anyway. You play with the kids that come in and show them love and compassion. You keep me grounded and make sure I'm always on my toes and forgive me when I forget something. Your unconditional love and support is all I ever need to survive and I love you with every beat of my heart, every breath I breathe, and every ounce of my being.
And, I'm thankful for my husband, Ronnie Vance. You say you are not a people person but you are always in the thick of it with me, talking to people, pulling food out of our freezer or cabinets to help others. You let me have my Pantry and support me 100% of the way. You make sure I eat when I forget to, you make sure I slow down, when I'm pushing too hard, and you love me with all you are. You are my everything and I am so thankful for you and appreciate everything you do for me and our children. I thank you for loving me and being my best friend. You give so much of yourself for us and I want you to know how much we all appreciate everything you do, especially the little things. You are the love of my life and I am nothing without you.
So, Happy Thanksgiving my dear friends. I wish you happiness, love, and prosperity. I hope you have a chance to spend time with your families, and if you are ever in need, you know where I am.
