Halloween- Our time for giving back

[Guest guest]

Hello my friends

About a month or so ago I posted a request to the boards in regards

to a benefit that my family and friends are having this coming Sunday

October 31st. So far this has raised approximately $1,500.00; 100%

of the money raised will be going towards Thanksgiving dinners for

our local homeless shelter, battered women's shelter and a facility

that assists families who are down on their luck. Our goal originally

was to raise $3,000.00 and unfortunately we weren't able to reach

that but we are proud of the funds we did raise. With the help of

many volunteers and multiple donations, families in our area will sit

down to real Thanksgiving meal on November 25th instead of wondering

how they are going to provide for their families during what is

supposed to be a festive holiday.

I would like to give a small explanation as to why of all evenings we

chose Halloween. As many may have figured out from my email address I

am Pagan and for those who hadn't given it a thought surprise??

Anyway, all joking aside Halloween for my family as well as many of

my friends celebrate what is called Samhain (sow-een) which is

considered our final harvest of the year; a time when we reap the

blessings of harvests and prepare for the long winter months ahead.

My particular group has for the last five years given back to the

community during this time of year by means of education and

fundraising so that come Thanksgiving others will reap the benefits

of our harvest. This year will be our last fundraiser as my " family "

has decided to refrain from public work and will continue on as a

private organization, at least for the time being.

If you have gotten this far into my post I want to extend a `thank

you " and appreciate your ability to accept me for who I am and

perhaps consider a small gift to help others during the upcoming

holiday. I listed before an address that you can make donations to if

you wish and while I totally understand that people here are living

on limited funds as I have been there and still am myself a gift of

$5.00 would mean so much to those who have nothing. Here is the

address if you are interested in reading what we have accomplished so

far http://witchesball.easternmass.org This site will remain open

until November 8th for accepting donations.

Thank you very much my friends I appreciate your taking the time to

read this and it would mean the world to me if people were to donate

a few dollars. Again, it's understood if money is tight and I'd never

expect you to give beyond your means if that's the case.

Blessings

Donna

[Guest guest]

> If I might be so bold, I'd love to talk with you sometime

about the Wiccan religion. It's always fascinated me though I must

admit I don't know much more than the basic concept.....hard to

follow your own path for answers in a family as devoutly Catholic as

mine. I apologize if my curiosity offends you, that is absolutely not

my intention. Feel free to email me directly if you get the

opportunity.

I would welcome any questions you may have Tricia. Im very open about

my beliefs but rarely discuss it in open forum. You can email me

directly if you wish..that goes for anyone else as well.

Hope the festival of Samhein is a good one for you.

Thank you, alot of hard work has gone into making this a successful

benefit. We have tried to make it as much fun as possible by doing

this as a masquerade ball. Dont get us wrong Pagans love to party

with the best of them and dress up!! LOL!

Hugs

Donna