Hopes From Your Heart

Stories of Hope From Your Heart

Click The Heart To Tell Your Story From Your Heart or Your Story of Need

My hope is that others will wish to join in my crusade to help people in need. Strength for my mission has come from loving, caring, giving, and sharing, all of which were instilled in me by my wonderful parents.

April 6, 2001

"at the Help from the Heart fundraiser."

Dear Help from the Heart Committee:

I am writing to thank you and to congratulate you for a wonderful evening last Sunday night at the Help from the Heart fundraiser. I knew that Pam was excited about the evening and kept telling me that I just wouldn’t believe all of the wonderful things that were being done. Well, she was certainly right and even though I expected something really nice, I was in awe of the totally organized and beautiful evening that I experienced. Not only was everything flawless – even the entertainment, food decorations, and auction items; there was also such an aura of tranquility throughout the evening. You could sense that everyone was having fun and were very proud to be a part of this special event.

It was evident that all of you were truly committed to your cause, that of helping little children and their families during the most difficult period of their lives. I talked with a young lady who had lost her precious little girl and had found an avenue to honor her through working and participating in your organization. I talked with Jake’s parents, new to their grief, who were so proud of what you all had done for Jake and for them. I think you must have eased their grief by honoring him in such a beautiful way.

Pam has been my friend for many, many years and she truly is a remarkably person. She is always caring, always there for you, never judgmental, has an enthusiasm that is contagious and of course possesses that wonderful sense of humor that I cherish. She will serve the foundation with all of these attributes, and I have had the remarkable good fortune to experience them first-hand throughout the years.

May God bless each one of you with success as you continue your efforts in this good work.

Sincerely,
Sharon Gannon

12-23-00

"there are special Santas and special Mrs. Santas"

Christmas is a time for laughing, loving, sharing, and giving and celebrating the birth of Jesus. Being able to help a family at Christmas was one of my goals for December. I received word that a family was experiencing hardships due to the mother being ill with cancer. The father had to stay home from work to care for his seriously ill wife and he also cared for his two grandsons, age 5 and age 8. He and his wife had adopted these boys at birth and had raised them in a good Christian home. When I called the home, I explained who I was and asked what I could do to make their Christmas a little brighter. This sweet and humble lady, who is still ill, told me that she really could not think of anything that was needed. I asked her what her plans were for Christmas dinner and she began to cry. I knew then how I could help. I realized, also, that these boys were not going to have much of a Christmas. I provided this deserving family with more than enough money to buy groceries and gave each of the boys money that they could spend on gifts for themselves. Today I received a "thank you" from them in a Christmas card. The front of the card read" And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great JOY which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Their message read, "Pam, thank you for your love and kindness shown to us during this blessed season. Words could never begin to tell you how touched we were. Our prayers are that your organization, "Help From The Heart" be richly blessed for your wonderful gift. The children were so excited that the oldest said, Grandma, you tell us that there is no Santa, but see he did this. I explained that God puts it on one's heart to give a special blessing and that's why you boys received a gift check from a wonderful lady and her organization. His reply was, well Grandma, that is a special Santa. So see she has a big heart of love and giving like Santa Claus, so she's a Mrs. Claus. His Grandmother, (not wanting to shatter his little dream), replied that "there are special Santas and special Mrs. Santas to help people who are hurting and poor and need to know someone loves them". She ended her sweet message with, "God richly bless you Mrs. Santa Claus for being a big part of our holiday. God Bless You and your entire family and organization, "Help From The Heart". You are truly a BLESSING". My heart was touched beyond words. This is truly what Christmas is about. Thanks to everyone who contributed to help me help wonderful, thankful people like this family. God Bless You All and have a beautiful Christmas. Christmas will be an especially wonderful day for me and my loved ones.

From My heart,

Pam

Hope From Morgan

My other granddaughter, Morgan, is a second grader at Madison School. She is so proud of my organization, "Help From The Heart". So proud that she went to school one day and told her teacher, Mrs. Jo CareyCarlisle the story about how her Grandma was helping others. As a result, the faculty, staff, and students at Madison School have joined my mission to help others. This is a beautiful example of how one tiny voice in this world can make a difference. On November 20th, Mrs. CareyCarlisle and Mrs. Gall's second grade classes gathered on the school playground to release red heart-shaped helium filled balloons for "Hope For Jake From Our Hearts". The balloons were launched in an effort to bring awareness to Jake Lausberg, age 6, who recently underwent brain surgery at Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He is home now after ten days in the hospital. He spent five of these days in ICU. This little boy has been through so much this year. Our thoughts and prayers remain constant for Jake and his family.

The Madison Elementary School Second Graders held a "Baking For Jake" project during the week of December 4th and it will continue until December 15th. They are donating the proceeds to "Help From The Heart" and I will contribute the money to "The Jake Lausberg Fund". After two weeks, they had raised $602.23 in donations. I am so very proud of them. The support that Madison School has given to my organization does not end here. "Help From The Heart" wanted to provide needed items to the "New Beginnings Domestic Violence Center". The students in each and every class are bringing in different items in a campaign to provide toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, hair care products, light bulbs, flashlights and paper products to help the families in the center.

I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to the principal of Madison Elementary School, Dr. Linda Myer, as well as to Mrs. Carey Carlisle, Mrs. Gall, the other teachers, staff, students, and the parents of the students for giving of yourselves over the holiday season to help make a difference in the life of someone in need for whatever reason it might be.

God Bless You All,
Pam Steele

"a lady whom I'll never forget...."

"Help From The Heart" was able to provide numerous families who faced hardships this holiday season with complete Thanksgiving dinners from turkey to pumpkin pie. I was supported in this effort by Big Bear, Kroger, Meijer, Jamboree Foods and Festival Foods. One of the recipients of a dinner was a lady whom I'll never forget. She and her family had faced many hardships this year, including serious illness, and I heard about her problems through her minister. I could tell when I spoke with her that she was a dear, sweet woman who always put others first. She even wanted me to give the dinner to someone who might have more of a need than her family. I insisted upon helping her. She was so very grateful. Today when I went to get the mail, there was a Christmas card from her. The front of her card showed Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus lying in the manger with the words, "THE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS". Inside the card, she wrote a note of thanks to me and said that she had no idea that an organization like mine existed. Tucked inside the card was a check made out to "Help From The Heart" for $50.00 to be used to help someone else in need. God love her sweet heart! This is certainly what Christmas is all about. God has blessed me and my family with several miracles in life and for that I am forever grateful. Our dear and wonderful parents taught everyone of us that the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving and none of us have ever forgotten this valuable lesson.

God Bless You All,
Pam Steele

"what if this were my child or grandchild?"

The last week-end of November, I received a phone call from someone who shared a story with me about a 15 year old girl who had broken her glasses nearly four weeks ago. Her Mother was unable to afford an eye exam and new glasses for her. The girl was too proud to mention to anyone that she was having difficulty seeing. I knew I had to help. I kept thinking "what if this were my child or grandchild?" I remember experiencing hard times while raising my two daughters. Therefore, I could certainly relate to this family's hardship. I picked up the phone and called the "Indian Mound Eye Clinic" and explained the situation to Megan in the office. She assured me that she would get right back with me after checking with the doctors. She called right back and said that this young lady would be seen at no charge for an eye exam and could choose from a beautiful selection of eye glasses, also at no charge. An appointment was scheduled for the very next morning. Megan said that the doctors were pleased to be able to help me. I was thrilled and so was this Mother who had no idea how she would be able to get these glasses for her daughter. My thanks from my heart to the staff and doctors at "Indian Mound Eye Clinic" in Heath, Ohio for their kindness and generosity. God Bless You All!