Why I Joined CFAF

I started CFAF in 2002 when I met a young family who would not be able to afford Christmas that year. Using my real estate connections, we filled up three automobiles full of gifts to give the family on Christmas morning. From there, our mission to spread joy each Christmas has grown year over year.

My Best Christmas Memory

My favorite memories of Christmas as I grew up were the family gathering on Christmas Eve. With seven older siblings and their families, we would sit in the small living room of the old farmhouse I grew up in and wait to hear the sound—a loud bell ringing out on our front porch telling us Santa had delivered our gifts. While the gifts were always modest, I will never forget the shared joy and happiness we experienced every year. For me, Christmas is truly the “most wonderful time of the year.”

Why I Joined CFAF

I joined CFAF because Mike Burright, as my mentor, taught me so much over the years. His willingness to always go the extra mile in all that he does is truly inspirational. When he approached me with the opportunity to join him in this adventure, I was truly honored. I have watched this grow from helping a couple of families a year to hundreds. Everyone can use a little help in the journey of this life, and together we can make Christmas a wonderful, beautiful time for struggling families and show the children that they are valued—even by people they haven’t met yet.

My Best Christmas Memory

There are so many. Lots of tiny moments in time. Our first Christmas married where, when we opened the blinds that morning, it was glittering outside! So beautiful. The year we jumped the gun with our live Christmas tree (yup, major fire hazard) and had to get a new one 10 days before Christmas. My grandfather ringing the reindeer bells and stomping around after us kids went to bed but before we were asleep. The overwhelming joy and renewed belief in the goodness of humans at the first CFAF wrapping party and then delivering gifts to families, hearing their stories, experiencing the wide-eyed delight of the children as the boxes arrived, and the gratitude and relief in the eyes of the parents that this was a GREAT Christmas.

My Favorite Holiday Dessert

All of them! Especially crumble cherry pie with ice cream.

Why I Joined CFAF

Because CFAF helps families during tough times. I have had tough times, and it meant the world to get help.

My Best Christmas Memory

The day my three kids realized the pure joy of giving not getting: 12/25/2013.

My Favorite Holiday Dessert

My daughter’s peanut clusters and her French cherry pie.

Why I Joined CFAF

In my late 20s, I joined a Christmas fundraiser with my mom. It was my favorite time of the year—visiting businesses to ask for donations and loading our truck with toys, clothes, and food. We drove around the city to deliver packages, and it brought me so much joy to see the smiles of the children as they received the gifts. Joining CFAF has brought back very warm memories of that time. Giving is a blessing to me; bringing joy to the community is truly priceless!

My Best Christmas Memory

My mom cooking the traditional Mexican Christmas dinner (tamales, capirotada, and posole). Watching my mom doing the cooking while I am sitting in the dining room, hoping food is ready soon! Sharing a family dinner all together, going to sleep early with my siblings because we are eager for Christmas day so we can open our gifts—just thinking about it makes me feel nostalgic.

My Favorite Holiday Dessert

The sugar cookies that my daughter bakes while the scent from the oven spreads through the entire house.

Why I Joined CFAF

When I started in real estate, my office was right across the hall from Santa aka Mike Burright. He was my mentor and always had time to help others. I started on the board after he asked if I could help do some fundraising, and the rest is history. I have always loved giving back, and this is the perfect opportunity to do that. I have had some amazing moments adopting and delivering gifts while serving on the board since 2005.

My Best Christmas Memory

When the weather was so iced up on Christmas Eve one year and gifts were not able to be delivered, my kids with their Subarus and 4-wheel-drive cars helped deliver gifts that otherwise wouldn’t have made it. Seeing the surprise on everyone’s faces was priceless. After we delivered gifts, I put a turkey in the oven, and we ate dinner at midnight on Christmas Eve. It was so rewarding and fun to have the amazing support from my family. It’s all about the giving for us.

My Favorite Holiday Dessert

Mama Marti’s Peanut Butter Balls.

Why I Joined CFAF

Giving truly is the best gift, and after several years of adopting families through CFAF, I wanted to help the organization in a bigger way. I’ve been able to bring my marketing skills to the foundation, which in turn has really scaled up the number of families we’re able to serve each Christmas. And, of course, shopping for families is one of my favorite holiday traditions!

My Best Christmas Memory

Each year, I most look forward to opening stockings on Christmas morning with my family. It’s a morning of PJs, brunch, dogs running around, and now—my sweet little niece!

My Favorite Holiday Dessert

My mom’s apple pie!