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We Love Gaby Fund
by Elissa Tognozzi, Director of Children's Ministries
During the Lenten season of 2003, the children and youth of St. Augustine's will be undertaking a special discipline. They hope to start a WE LOVE GABY FUND. Gaby is the seven year old adopted daughter of Elizabeth Needham-Plumblee, both of whom have been members of St. Augustine's for a number of years. During the past two years Elizabeth has battled a debilitating and progressive neurological disease similar to Multiple Sclerosis. Ultimately this health crisis has resulted in Elizabeth having to live in the Ocean View Convalescent Hospital in Santa Monica. Gaby is now living with her godparents, Amiee Yanez and Charles Edgar, and their two young children. They are also parishioners of St. Augustine's.
Before Lent begins, our children and youth group will receive mite boxes. We have suggested to the children a couple of alternatives for contributing. If they participate in some form of self-denial (i.e. giving up candy bars), every time they don't spend the money on a candy bar, that money can be put into the mite box. Another way to participate is to encourage children to use their Lenten mite boxes as they did with their United Thank Offering boxes: every day, they can express gratitude for something or someone in their lives, something or someone for which they are thankful and make a contribution to the box.
Children may also find their own ways of contributing. We have told the children that it's important that the discipline become part of their daily lives rather than a last minute thought.
Our goal is to create a fund for Gaby to help with her living expenses. Our children will use the mite boxes. We will provide envelopes for adults who are invited and encouraged to make a donation to the fund as part of their own Lenten discipline.
Our children also encourage you to participate:
"Elizabeth Needham-Plumblee has cared for 7-year old Gaby a long time. Now she is very ill and Gaby needs our help. It's our turn now."
- Lauren Spiegel, age 10
"Gaby's mom is sick in the hospital. She is living with her godparents now. She and her godparents need financial support. They need our help."
- Sara Mohr, age 9
"It is good to help Gaby because maybe she is lonely and sad so we need to help her."
- Christopher Mohr, age 6
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"I think we should help Gaby by donating money. That's because her mom's very sick and she's living with another family. By donating money we can help her get things like food and toys for her while her mom's sick. That way she can be happier while living with another family."
- Seijiro Takahashi, age 10
"We should help Gaby because she is less fortunate than we are."
- Gordon Wade, age 10
"Please help Gaby so she can continue to have a happy life, with--or sadly-- without, her mother."
- Zoe Billington, age 10
"Please help Gaby. I know how she feels. When I was very little my mom had to go to the hospital and I had to stay with my friends. I missed her very much."
- Daria Jones, age 12
"I think it is nice to raise money for Gaby so her new family can buy her supplies."
- Meredith Wade, age 7
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Please join us in making this ministry for Gaby a successful one.
Copyright © 2003 St. Augustine by-the-Sea
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