Synchronicity

It's happened before - I write about a wedding "problem" and then the next day, one of my brides shows up with it. Families doing the wedding wacky? Check! Vendors who won't deliver to the venue? Check! Not much you can do about the first, but think very carefully before you sign up for the second.

See you at the end of the aisle,

Liz Coopersmith

2007 Operation:Santa a HUGE success!!

The magic happened once again on Christmas Eve as the UCNH Jaycees and friends delivered toys and cheer to almost 400 deserving children in the San Fernando Valley. We started about 3p as the volunteers started arriving. They began to suit up, then they grabbed their toy bags, and headed out into the evening with maps and directions from location to location. Most teams had a Santa and helpers. One team even had a genuine/certified Elf along to help Santa. Deliveries were made and most teams were back to Operation:Santa central by 7p. Lots and lots of food was donated by Victorios Italian Restaurant in North Hollywood for the volunteers. After arriving back at Op Santa central, teams shared stories of their deliveries and drop offs, and the excitement of Christmas was palpable in the air for these giving adults who participated in one of the most genuine Christmas charity projects in the United States.

A very big KUDOS to chairperson Liz Coopersmith for pulling off a great event. And, it was her first Operation:Santa. No wonder she's next in line to be President of the UCNH Jaycees next year.

So for now, the Santa Suits are packed away for next year and we're all getting back to our normal lives; but for a few hours on Christmas Eve, about 50 volunteers experienced the true meaning of Christmas...and in case anybody is still doubting...SANTA CLAUS IS REAL.

Toy Bagging this Saturday for Op Santa

Volunteers needed for Saturday, December 22nd for the Toy Bagging and Tagging at the UCNH Chamber Offices from 2p-5p. Office is located at 6369 Bellingham Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91606.

If you have some toys that you'd like to donate, this will be your last chance to stop by and drop them off.

Please RSVP to Liz Coopersmith at Liz@Silvercharmevents.com

if you plan on attending. Ho Ho Ho!

HOWS sponsors Reception at Recital

Thanks to HOWS Market for sponsoring the Operation:Santa benefit Recital reception recently at First Christian Church in North Hollywood. HOWS is a new upscale grocery store located at the NoHo Commons on Lankershim between Chandler and Weddington. Open 24 hours and featuring a wine tasting room, once you've shopped at HOWS, you're hooked. Great, friendly staff, and easy free parking.

On Saturday, January 5th 2008 Jaycee Chairman of the Board Jack Witt will be doing a Free Grocery Shopping Tour and Nutrition Label Reading event from 1p-2p at HOWS. RSVP only to Jack@getfitwithWitt.com

Daily News scheduled to interview about Op Santa

Mark Kellum with the Valley News section of the Daily News is scheduled to interview UCNH Jaycee President Jack Witt on the 17th about Operation:Santa. Stay tuned for the article once it comes out.

The Fund Drive is ON!

Hi, I'm Liz Coopersmith, and I'm the chair of Operation Santa this year. Today is the start of our fund drive, where we're raising money to buy toys and gifts for the children who will benefit from the program. Our goal is to raise $1,000 by December 20th, two weeks from today. So far, we've raised $250, so we're getting there! Help the kids out by clicking on the "make a donation" link on the right, and we'll keep you updated here on how we're doing.

Also, if you're interested in volunteering on Christmas Eve, or contributing in some other way, you can email me directly at liz@silvercharmevents.com or give me a call at 310-801-3602.

Hard to the Core Fitness is all soft when it comes to Op:Santa

Hard to the Core Fitness, located at 17200 Ventura Blvd., #101 in Encino, placed a toy bin in the gym this weekend for Operation:Santa. This is the 3rd year in a row this gym location has supported the UCNH Jaycees project. Manager Lisa Smith participated in Operation:Santa last year with her dog "knuckles". We hope to see "Knuckles" back again this year. Jaycee President Jack Witt trains his clients out of this location as well.

Numero Uno Pizza Encino gets a toy Bin

Another location in Encino put an Operation:Santa toy bin in the lobby. Number Uno Encino is located at 16545 Ventura Blvd. 818-990-8820. Great Pizza and Salads too!!!