A few years ago, while working at a children's charity in Boston, I answered a call requesting a home visit to pick up donations. That wasn't something we typically did, but it was only 3 miles down the road, and it was an 87 year old Italian woman who crocheted a few dozen baby hats and mittens for Christmas. I ended up talking to her for two hours. Over the next few years, every couple of months - especially at Christmas time - she'd call me up to donate some goodies she and her sister had put together, along with a homemade dinner. She always referred to herself as my surrogate great-grandmother. She treated me like family when I was 400 miles from home.
Mary Valentino never had children of her own. She doesn't have any money. But what little she has, she gives to others. She's spent thousands of hours over her lifetime using her hands to make blankets for Father Bill's in Quincy, MA. With the little money she has, she tries to help as many charities as she can. $5 here. $10 there. With the help of her sister, Nelda, she shops the local consignment shops for the best deals on children's clothing which she donates to Cradles to Crayons.
A few months after I moved to Philadelphia I was going through some challenging times. One day I came home from work and there was a note from her waiting for me on the table when I got home from work. She had handwritten her favorite prayer and told me she's been saying it for me for months.
I said a prayer for you today
and know God must have heard.
I felt the answer in my heart
although He spoke no word.
I didn't ask for wealth or fame.
I knew you wouldn't mind.
I asked Him to send treasures
of a far more lasting kind.
I asked that He be near you
at the start of every day.
To grant you health and blessing
and friends to share your way.
I asked for happiness for you
in all things great and small.
But it was for his loving care
I prayed the most of all.
On January 9th Mary turns 90 years old. My real grandmother passed away this last October. The out-flowing of love I saw for her was a gift everyone should be so lucky to experience. I want Mary to be so lucky. She deserves it. Please join me in celebrating 90 years of a beautiful person. Let's show Mary that she has not only touched the lives of every person she's met, and every person who has ever benefited from her generosity, but that her generosity has inspired hundreds of people she's never met.
Options to send Mary a birthday card:
A. Drop off your card at Nespoli Jewelers or Fuel Fitness in Berwick PA by December 29th
B. Mail the card addressed to Mary Valentino to me at 513 Queen Street, Philadelphia PA 19147 by January 2nd. I will hand deliver them to Mary that weekend. I will FedEx all of the cards I receive after that to Mary's sister who will hand deliver them to Mary on her birthday.
C. Make a donation in her name to Cradles to Crayons at www.cradlestocrayons.org
D. Share this with anyone you know. Or share the Facebook event page.
Thank you for your kindness
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