Patch Readers Adopt 45 Children for the Holidays

Thanks to our generous readers, Wyandotte Patch was able to deliver more than 50 bags of toys, clothing and canned goods to the Salvation Army on Friday.

Patch readers sponsored 45 children through  which connects needy Downriver families with presents for children ages newborn to 14.

Several readers adopted multiple children.

Tongue's Protein Bar and Chill Lounge served as the official drop-off point for the volunteer drive.

On behalf of everyone involved, we'd like to extend our heartfelt thanks to those who donated to the Wyandotte Patch/Salvation Army Angel Tree Program:

• Paul
• Chad Shush
• Wendy Doute-Lacroix
• Angela Farley
• Bill Ayers
• Sandi
• Andrea Fuller
• Erin LaBeau
• Jennifer Schmidt-Miller
• Jenna Smith
• Tracie Stec
• Paula
• Matt Dudzinski
• Karen Woehrle Williamson
• Loree Falandysz
• Patty Mashike
• Amanda-Grace Godsell
• Leslie Affholter
• Carrie Swihart
• Shellie Cade
• Jennifer Reynolds
• Dawn Lopez
• Jason Alley
• The anonymous donors who dropped off gifts under the tree at Tongue's

We asked our readers to tell us why they chose to get involved with the project. Here are some of the responses:

Jenna Smith: The reason I decided to get involved was that I believe you get back what you put into this world. If for some awful reason my family was struggling in the future, I would hope help would be there for my children. It's important to take part in your community and not look the other way and there is absolutely no shame in needing help. The best thing about this program is that these kids have the opportunity to have an amazing holiday! 

Loree Falandysz: The reason why I helped? I once was on the receiving end. It meant the world to me that strangers reached out to help me out at Christmas. Every since then, I've tried to do something good for someone this time of year. Will be looking forward to next year.

Patty Mashike: We chose to help these children because this is something we like to do every year. We don't have a lot, but we have more then those in need. It makes us feel good to give to those less fortunate. We have done Christmas caroling for the children in Penrickton and have chosen families to buy for and have picked children off the trees at Kmart and other stores. We all drop toys off at Toys for Tots locations. It just warms our hearts knowing that we did our part. If everyone did their part, no one would be in these situations. It only takes a little bit to give to someone. This is something we will continue to do as long as we are able. We don’t just do this during Christmas. We volunteer at Gleaners and we deliver Meals on Wheels in Detroit. I hope what we did for Christmas this time puts a smile on their faces and I hope the food that we donated provides a few dinners for someone. It was our pleasure.

Shellie Cade: We decided to help out because when the economy took a fall, we (like a lot of others) needed help for Christmas. And this year when you posted the story, it hit home realizing just how many kids there are that still need a "Christmas". So I posted the link to your story on my Facebook page and asked all of my WONDERFUL friends to help if they could. We have five kiddos of our own and one adopted, so we were not able to do it ourselves, but with the help of everyone, we were able to help out two kids instead of just one!! Thanks for posting the article and giving me the motivation to ask others for help to be able to make this possible.

Andrea Fuller: Why I donated? The old adage, ''It's better to give than to receive,” is so true and a good lesson to pass on to our children.  We are happy to help the Wyandotte Patch and Salvation Army bring some extra joy this season to these very deserving recipients.