This Christmas my children, husband, and myself were adopted by the Whitewater High School baseball team for Christmas. Through circumstance and events this past year, we found ourselves in a financial situation that I never thought I would foresee for myself and my children.

Each year the Whitewater baseball team (9th grade, JV, and varsity teams) adopt a local community family for the holiday. We were the family they chose. I want them to each know that the gifts were a small part of what was given to us. Being able to meet a few of these boys and having them meet my children was the most dear and touching part of my holidays. I will never forget our 2005 Christmas.

To our local businesses, community leaders and members, I am asking you to all be generous and supportive when these young men approach you for sponsorship or donations for their upcoming baseball season. They didn’t give to our family to be recognized, but they deserve far more than I can repay them by this small recognition. If they could only understand the impact they forever had on our family. I hope being part of this miracle has also touched them.

What a lesson in kindness and unconditional love they have taught my husband, myself, and our girls by their example. I know that they took hours out of their school schedule to buy gifts and coordinate this “surprise” for my children. Thank you, boys, for teaching me the true meaning of Christmas. It has been a lesson I have been waiting 30 years to learn.

Lori and the girls

P.S. The bike and the “dinger” were a hit!