Woody’s award-winning novel “The Butterfly Tree” is available at Amazon (click here), other online retailers, and orderable at all bookshops.
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“Give every day the chance to become the most beautiful day of your life,” Mark Twain wrote. And: “It is higher and nobler to be kind.”
Once again, “Woody’s Holiday Ball Drive” is off to a fast rolling start as readers of this column have proved themselves to be both noble and kind in making the Christmas season more beautiful for local disadvantaged kids.
Linda and Frank Zych took their three grandchildren, who were saddened by the thought of other kids not owning their own sports ball, to each pick out a gift and the result was: Zoey, 12, chose a volleyball; Carter, 11, decided that a football would make some little boy very happy; and Emmy, 7, after much consideration, picked out a shiny purple ball she felt would make child’s eyes light up – plus a basketball from them all.
Jan and Tom Lewis, and family, donated a dozen basketballs in honor of coaches Mike Giordano and Joe Vaughan. “We are forever grateful,” Tom shared, “for all the life lessons they taught our daughters Cory, Emily and Maddy, and many, many others, while growing up.”
Kay Giles and Michael Mariani gave eight soccer balls; Peggy Greathouse and family donated six basketballs; and Judy Magee-Windle gave eight balls “in honor of my four grandsons who I adore.”
Stephanie and John Orr gave four soccer balls; Marty Rouse gave two balls; and Anna and Tom McBreen donated one basketball.
Sue Hughes gave two each basketballs, soccer balls, and footballs; and Draza Mrvichin gave the same mix of six, noting: “I love this opportunity to share.”
Nita and Nick Perkins donated 10 balls “in memory of our Dads.”
Dave Stancliff gave 10 basketballs in honor of his two youngest grandchildren, Johnny and Rosalie and added: “It warms my heart to know children will get something free in this terrible economy. I hope you exceed last year’s donations.”
One dozen basketballs were given anonymously “in honor of good Samaritan Rhiannon Potkey and her nonprofit Goods4Greatness.” Other anonymous givers donated one basketball; two footballs; and four soccer balls.
The women of VISA (Ventura Independent Soccer Association) kicked in five soccer balls, noting: “We hope these balls spark a lifelong love of soccer that we all still have to this day.”
Nadine Herron pitched in a dozen balls “in honor of my late brother, Jerry Herron, who played professional baseball” and Howard Reich gave half a dozen assorted balls.
Kathy and Alan and Hammerand gave four soccer balls, three basketballs, three footballs and said: “It is always fun to see your column advising that it is time for your annual Ball Drive – it means that the holiday season is approaching. I feel like the need may be even greater than normal this year, so we hope the response is great!”
In the Introduction to a collection of his “Editor’s Notebook” columns published in 1988, Julius Gius, legendary chief editor of The Star, wrote: “I have had a rich and rewarding life. Everything has come up roses for me. I count my blessings every day and wish them for everyone.”
If you similarly have been blessed, I encourage you to follow Gius’ example by dropping off new sports balls (no batteries required!) at a Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, Toys For Tots, or similar program.
Also, through Dec. 8, you can hand off your bouncing gifts at Sanbell (formerly Jensen Design & Survey) at 1672 Donlon St., Ventura CA 93003 (weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) – or have online orders shipped to the same address – and I will see that they wind up in deserving young hands.
And please email me about your gifts at woodywriter@gmail.com so I can add your generosity to this year’s ball tally as well as acknowledge you in a future column.
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Essay copyrights Woody Woodburn
Woody’s new novel “The Butterfly Tree” is now available in paperback and eBook at Amazon (click here), other online bookstores, and is orderable at all bookshops.
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Woody writes a weekly column for The Ventura County Star and can be contacted at WoodyWriter@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @woodywoodburn.