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'Looks On Their Faces' Inspiring

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 3, 2007

BRANDON - Although it entails months of work to pull off, time away from her family and more hassle during the hectic holiday season, Becky Goble says a single image motivates her to help with the Brandon Junior Woman's Club holiday party for underprivileged children each year.

One year she watched as two little girls tore off the wrapping paper from a treasure trove of dolls, games, clothes and school supplies the women in the club had purchased for them. The children could not speak English. They had just come to America from Cuba, where they had seen both parents die on the dangerous journey to freedom in the United States.

"The looks on their faces said it all," Goble said.

That's the kind of reason the members of the club, part of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, spend much of the year fundraising.

"We've held this Christmas party for at least 25 years, providing underprivileged kids with toys, socks, school supplies, underwear and clothes," she said.

Each year, guidance counselors from 15 to 20 east Hillsborough County elementary schools supply the club with the names and wish lists of their school's neediest children.

"Then we go shopping," said member Donna Johnson.

The group is supported by corporate sponsors that offer contributions or discounts and proceeds from fundraisers such as a bunko night and an upcoming scrapbooking event. The money raised this year will help the junior women provide Christmas joy for 80 children at a party Dec. 12 at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Brandon.

The children will open gifts, meet and pose for photos with Santa, enjoy pizza donated by a corporate sponsor and create ornaments courtesy of club member Wendy Pettys, owner of the Pottery Patch in Valrico.

"It's very touching," Goble said. "Sometimes the kids are in shock and can't say anything, and sometimes they're just so excited to get a new pair of shoes."

It's a year-round project for club member Chris Miller and her husband, Don. The couple collect used bicycles, then paint and repair them, replace brakes, pedals and seats and present them to the children, along with a new safety helmet.

"This is our Christmas," she said. "Getting a little 6-year-old hip hug just takes my breath away."

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The Brandon Junior Woman's Club is branching out with a new fundraiser that includes two popular hobbies: shopping and scrapbooking.

Shopping Extravaganza: From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 10 at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church will feature 25 vendors selling products such as Mary Kay cosmetics, Premier Designs jewelry, Pampered Chef supplies, Weekenders clothing, Southern Living at Home decorating products, books from Usborne Books and stamping supplies from Stampin' Up! The cost is $40 for vendors.

Crop for a Cause: The same day inside the church, a marathon scrapbooking session will bring together enthusiasts who can bring their supplies and photos, and spend the day preserving memories, sharing ideas and meeting people. Cost is $25 and includes lunch from Crispers. Door prizes will be awarded throughout the day, and there will be a silent auction. To donate silent auction items, purchase Crop for a Cause tickets or register to be a Shopping Extravaganza vendor, contact Becky Goble at (813) 651-9333 or agoble @aol.com, or Donna Johnson at (813) 244-4758 or donna07 bjwc@aol.com.

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524 or dlwhite@tampatrib.com.

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