What began nearly 10 years ago as a simple holiday gesture for the six adult siblings of the Campanella Family, has turned in to an amazing act of love and kindness each year for the residents of our domestic violence shelter, My Sisters' Place. Instead of gift giving among the adults, the family decided to lend a helping hand to one of their sister's favorite charities.

"We have a large family and we were just buying gifts out of obligation instead of need," shares Noreen, one the Campanella siblings. "The notion of asking ourselves why we were giving, allowed us to become more charitable givers."

 

The family's holiday tradition continued to grow over the years.  It now encompasses the all the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as a few friends. 

 

Each year, every family member, including the children, make a monetary contribution to the Christmas fund for the shelter. They all meet for brunch and go off in "teams" to make purchases from the shelter's wish list. This Christmas, the family provided over $3,340 of much needed items including high chairs and strollers.

 

"We wanted to teach our children about giving," Noreen continues. "I was amazed at how much everyone in our family gave this year."

 

In addition to their annual Christmas shopping spree, The Campanella Family has a charitable foundation which also gave over $7,000 to My Sisters' Place this year. And if that wasn't enough, the families separately provide support to the shelter throughout the year.

 

We are truly grateful for The Campanella Family, and those like them, who remind us what the Season of Giving is all about.  

Imagine the giving seed you can plant with your family!