Today I am OH so grateful. This year I helped participate in our company's holiday drive. Our employees donated gifts for over 950 youth in San Diego this year. I read some of the quotes from staff at San Diego Youth and Community Services (where we gave the donations) and was choking back tears at work.


SDYCS Executive Director
“On behalf of the youth in our programs, I thank all of you at Qualcomm for your generosity and compassion. Your donations during the Annual Holiday Toy Drive, put smiles on the faces of over 950 at-risk youth who often have to do with less because of the challenges they face. We also appreciate all the volunteer time you contributed during the evenings and weekend to ensure the gifts would get to our youth. We value your partnership with us and thank you again for making such a tremendous impact for youth in our community.”
Walter Philips, SDYCS Executive Director

The Bridgman Home- Deaf Group Home
“I would just like to thank Qualcomm and all their dedicated staff for their holiday contributions. Many of our youth have come from homes where the holidays were a stressful and sad time and where their family was unable to communicate with them. So, for many of our youth, this holiday season is the first time they will be able to celebrate the holidays in a safe, warm, caring environment with others who are like them. I realize it’s hard to know sometimes the impact that one person or a small group of people can have on someone’s life but I wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of the staff at Qualcomm for their amazing generosity during this season. These youth, youth who have grown up abused, neglect, and thrown away now have a place to call home and the ability, thanks to all of you, to celebrate that.

Unfortunately, I can’t share photos of the youth because of confidentiality; however, I would like to take a moment to share an experience with one of the youth in the home. All of our youth are teenagers, most of them above the age of 15 to help set the stage for this a bit. One of our teens who has a history of severe abuse, trauma, deprivation, and neglect asked for a Barbie doll. Yes, a Barbie doll! When she opened her gift from one of the persons at Qualcomm, it was a Barbie doll with a set of clothes. This teenager who has been through so much in her life began to cry. Later, when I asked her what prompted that reaction, she said “it’s my very first doll. I’ve never had one before!”

With that, I will say once again, thank you to all of the staff at Qualcomm. Again, I know it can be hard to know the impact you might have on another person’s life; however, for this youth, someone gave her a childhood she never had.

Happy Holidays and all my best for a safe and warm Christmas!”
Michele Cannon, MSW, PPS, Bridgman Group Home Director

EC-Behavioral Center
“In my whole life, I never would have imagined giving my child an IPod!” This is coming from a mother of 6 who was homeless and recently found a home. She was in tears and so thankful for the gift card to Target and extra wrapped gift.

“The staff at the EC BHC were thrilled with last week’s delivery and completely grateful for the beautiful presents. Our clients and families have been ecstatic and grateful for the thoughtful presents.”
Rachelle Amini, Psy.D., MSWProgram Manager/Clinical Psychologist
East County Behavioral Health Clinic

Foster Care
“In my many years working in foster care it has been incredible to see the generosity of people, even during challenging financial times. All the act of kindness is greatly appreciated.”
Monica Bradley, Foster Care Marketing & Retention Coordinator

Breaking Cycles
" I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the wrapped gifts and gift certificates that were provided to the Breaking Cycles Program. All of the hard work and generosity of Qualcomm Inc. and its donors will be appreciated by the adolescents at the Youth Day Center and Reflections Program who will receive these gifts on December 22nd and 23rd 2008." Christopher Montoya, Center Director Breaking Cycles

Quote from a 16 year old who received a $50.00 Target Gift Certificate today 12/22/08: "Thank You Qualcomm, this will help me buy a few things for my family that I would not have been able to afford - Merry Christmas"

Take Wing
“We really appreciate all of the hard work and the wonderful gifts! Qualcomm has helped make it possible for our youth and young adults to have a happy holiday and to put gifts under the tree for their kids as well. Thanks so much for everything!”
Kristin Krogh, Community Organizer

“We just cannot thank Qualcomm enough for their hard work and dedication to giving our youth an unforgettable holiday. These gifts might be the only gifts they receive these holidays and without your efforts this would have never been possible. Once again, we appreciate everything you do during this time of the year and we thank you.”
Raul Bautista -Take Wing Transitional Living Program, Case Manager

Quotes from youth:

“Thank you for the present you gave me, I loved it! I always wanted something so that I could hear music, now I am so happy I get to hear music and take it with me everywhere I go. So thank you again for the iPod Shuffle.”

“I liked my backpack. I am happy! I liked my gift card. Thank you. I liked my cards.”

“When I got my gift I thought it was going to be a gift card, but I felt something heavy so when I opened it, it was an iPod Shuffle. I was going to faint because it’s my first iPod I’m going to use!”

“I feel happy because I can buy anything I want, for example - iPod Shuffle, clothes, shoes… anything I want.”
“I love it! It’s like you read my mind! It’s just what I wanted!”

Colds are about the worst thing ever.  They're not bad enough to excuse yourself from going work - but they run you down and make you spit constantly and blow your nose 'till it's so raw it bleeds.  Ugg.  

All I want right now is a massage and some soup.  And a cute guy to cuddle up next to and watch a movie. Is that too much to ask?

Yes, I'm a sporadic blogger.  Today I returned to San Diego after 6 fabulous days in Ohio.  Lately when I return to Ohio I have a sense of completeness when I'm there.  A yearning that makes me think I may want to return some day.  If I could find a job like the one I currently have back in the Cincinnati area I would seriously consider it. 

 A year or two ago I would have said no time in the near future would I ever leave San Diego.  But as I stay here I continue to miss the people from my Midwest roots.  There's something very different about the people in Ohio.  Something I think I constantly search for in my friends out here.  I think it gets worse each time I return. 

This was possibly the last time in Oxford for a while.  Mom is retiring in the Spring and moving out here in the Summer.  Then no more home in Ohio!  I have very mixed feelings about her move.  More than anything I wish San Diego was a short drive from the Cincinnati area.  I would even take a 5 hour drive. I just want to be near my friends again.