Bringing Christmas joy to kids and families.
Welcome to the 106th episode of Giving Back Insights! Insights are our solo show to celebrate how our guests and their charities serve others, explore actions each of can take to make a difference in people’s lives and connect.
Today we’re talking about Christmas joy! Enjoy today’s episode and keep your comments and feedback coming.
Tweet ThisKey Takeaways:
Merry Christmas! Those costumed mischief makers on today’s cover are part of the OakLuv crew, bringing Christmas joy to kids and families in the Fruitvale District of my hometown, Oakland, California.
OakLuv Foundation was created by Knucklehead Santa (aka Alex Cox ), Chaz the Elf (aka Alan Smith) and Hot Toddy (aka Todd Marshburn) pretty much on a whim. With an initial intention of “Just having some fun by surprising people with stuff, they might need,” the guys stumbled upon the incredible joy of giving. Now in their 10th year, OakLuv stepped up its game in 2018 with a 3 block Posada, a Christmas celebration in Mexico with an Oaktown twist. A block party with slides, snow, and Santa, a Christmas tree lot was a much welcome last-minute addition thanks to Alex Gramling and the Christmas Tree Santas who were featured on our Christmas episode earlier this week (insert link).
The seed for the Christmas Tree Santas was planted in 2010 when founder Alex Gramling gave a tree to a struggling family during the holidays. He was so moved by their joy and gratitude that he decided to help other deserving families meet this seasonal need. With help from enthusiastic friends and supporters, Christmas Tree Santas was launched in 2011.
Their mission is to spread hope and joy by giving Christmas trees to families in need. In their first year, the Santas distributed over 300 free Christmas trees at two locations. Since then, Christmas Tree Santas have given away over 6,500 trees nationwide — including Oaktown!
Two amazing, all volunteer-driven nonprofits. Two Alex’ who I had the pleasure of connecting in November and joined missions to spread MORE Christmas joy and fun this year. Ho Ho Ho, indeed.
On top of that last minute bit of Christmas magic, I had the chance to make some of my own and seized the opportunity. Me, my bro and my Mom, hanging out at Starbucks in Lodi. Cheers!
Alex Cox, OakLuv Foundation:
www.OakLuv.org
Alex Gramling, Christmas Tree Santas:
https://www.christmastreesantas.org/
Little girl whacking the snot out of a Christmas tree ornament pinata:
https://bit.ly/2PW5Twb
2108 Fruitvale Posada pics:
https://bit.ly/2BDtnRo
Reunion picture:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-wgBsnfRzjrRy01SkN3XzNuUGNvX1czYUs3VWh4ZE9naVFZ
Remember: Always err on the side of love & kindness.
Love & Gratitude,
Rob
Backstage at the Giving Back Podcast Episode 285, Giving Back Insights 106: "Christmas Joy"
Backstage at the Giving Back PodcastEpisode 285, Giving Back Insights 106"Christmas Joy"#ChristmasTreeSantas #OakLuv #OakLuvFoundation #MiracleMessagesMiracle Messages Oakluv Foundation Christmas Tree Santas Alex Gramling Nancy Erhard Jamie Moran Alannah Avelin Swami S Tirtha Midori Verity Christopher Stafford John Lord Bill Verity #OakLuv Krista Gawronski Lynne Gordon Moquete James Woeber Candy Barone Nicola Ortiz
Posted by Rob Lowe on Tuesday, December 25, 2018
Mentioned in This Episode:
https://www.christmastreesantas.org/
