Letters from Grandma

Last month’s donations were given to a nonprofit in eastern Kentucky helping provide presents for families this holiday season. In total, we donated $235 to help this organization. Missie and her team were such rockstars in making this mission possible, especially in light of the pandemic!

This month, we at Belva’s Attic have something special for you. Our January drop series is called “Letters From Grandma.” Imagine being able to raid your grandma’s attic to find all of her vintage, and sometimes retro clothing for yourself! We’ve spent lots of time preparing these drops to ensure they were curated around things we believe our followers will LOVE!

Since this drop centers around grandma’s clothing, and my grandparents are two of the biggest supporters in my life, it got me thinking about other things in my life who support me. That led me to my puppy Luckey! I felt a pull to donate to the same animal shelter I adopted my puppy from to support animal adoption for other people like me

looking for a cuddly friend to love them and make them happy! Clothing purchases from the Letters From Grandma series will be donated to the Orange County Animal Shelter.

A year and a half ago I adopted my adorable (and wild) puppy Luckey from this shelter. Orange

County Animal Shelter let me adopt my dog for only TEN dollars, shots and all! They made the process so easy for me, and were beyond thrilled when they saw the immediate connection Luckey and I had. You can read more about OCAS’s mission by checking out their website here. If you’re local to the Orlando area, maybe even consider fostering or adopting your own furry best friend to keep you company and love!

Our first collection of Letters From Grandma is dropping soon, be sure to keep a close eye on our Instagram page so you don’t miss out!

The Giving Tree

Last week, we had a successful drop giving contributions to Cast Member Pantry, an organization that helps support laid off Disney employees from both Walt Disney World as well as Disneyland.

This drop’s contributions will be going to help children in eastern Kentucky have presents under their tree, who might not otherwise without the aid of this program called the Giving Tree. The Giving Tree gives people in this community an opportunity to sponsor a child and help fulfill their Christmas list just in time for the holidays! I love the idea of keeping the magic of Christmas alive, and that’s just what Missie Lowe and her volunteer staff strive to do each and every year!

We had the amazing chance to talk to Missie who has been a core part of this event since it’s start. She gave us insight as to what exactly this program is all about and the families it helps!

Q: What is the Giving Tree?

A: The "Giving Tree" was established in the year 2000 to assist local families with providing a good Christmas for their children. Since we have started over 4,000 children have had the opportunity to experience the magic of Christmas. We have been blessed to work with an amazing community that supports us. Local churches, businesses, families, local and state law enforcement, the list of supporters is endless. Each year God provides whatever we need through these wonderful volunteers.

Q: What is your favorite story from the years you've organized this event?

A: When asked what my favorite memory is, I can't list just one! A set of grandparents got custody of their grandchild due to the biological parent's drug addiction issues and inability to care for their child. They enrolled the child in one of my elementary schools and stopped by my office to see what help was available. Upon talking to the grandparents I learned that they were on a fixed income of less than $1,000 a month. They barely had money to cover necessities with nothing left over for Christmas. After partnering with a local church we were able to fill the wish list and more. As they pushed the new bicycle to the car and I carried a bag of clothes and toys there was not a dry eye to be seen. The love these gentle folks had for their grandchild was beyond measure and the opportunity to help make Christmas magical for them was a gift I will never forget.

Q: How many families have you serviced from the time this event began?

A: Too many to count! Anyone who comes to us in need of any type of assistance, whether for the holidays or not we don’t turn away.

Q: Why is this so special to your community?

A: It’s about the child that gets their very first pair of new shoes.

The single mom working two jobs to make ends meet.

The dad thats trying to survive his first Christmas without his wife who passed away.

A recovering addict that gets to spend their first Christmas with their kids in a very long time. That’s why we do what we do.

Anything else you want people to know:

One of my favorite parts of this is how the gifts on people’s wishlists never cease to be fulfilled in one way or another… and sometimes through miracles! I’ll be sitting at my desk and saying "I have a kid that only wants an electric train for Christmas...any idea where I can find one?" Then moments later have someone walk by and ask if I know anyone that could use an electric train set… they have an extra one in their car!

The list goes on and on, but thank the Lord so much for His blessings!!!

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To help Missie and her team out, you can purchase something from all drops on Belva’s Attic spanning the rest of year, or donate directly to @Summer-Phillips-15 on Venmo. Please specify the donation is for Missie/the Giving Tree and it will be immediately forwarded to her with confirmation.

Cast Member Pantry Aid

Q: What is Cast Member Pantry?

A: Cast Member Pantry was founded with the intent of helping Disney employees feed themselves and their families in times of need.

Why is this Important Now?

Due to the negative impacts of COVID-19 on our economy, half of adults who say they lost a job due to the pandemic are still unemployed. According to polls conducted by Pew Research Center, nearly 50% of poll participants reported that they sought help from a food bank during these times. Furthermore, 35% of those who sought help were from lower income households.

With the unemployment rate still being an unfixed issue in our nation, more job loss and layoffs continue. Due to this, the Disney Company has found itself with the same outcome. Earlier this month, all Cast Members received news that nearly 28,000 layoffs would be taking place company wide.

While sadness continues to linger, community members and Disney employees alike have risen to the occasion to bring magic back to those who so freely gave theirs to us. Seeing the need, Cast Member Pantry was founded. In March, Cast Member Pantry began giving out dry goods to those in need on an appointment based system. Since, their contributions to the community have expanded nearly tripling! Volunteers work consistently to provide families with bags of goods monthly, stocked with enough food for several meals. Their “Fast Pass” bags contain around $50 of non-perishable goods to feed a family for four - five days. Now, 7,000 appointments later, and they are only continuing to grow!

All funds raised through this month’s sales on our site will be contributed to this

organization along with aiding in helping keep Anthena's Cove running for future fundraising. Cast Member Pantry also links an Amazon wish list with ways to help along with Venmo user information for an easier transaction.

Regardless of how you choose to help, all support is welcome and encouraged! You can continue to follow this nonprofit on their social media platforms.

Instagram: @CastMemberPantry

Facebook: facebook.com/castmemberpantry