January 1, 2008
Dear PFLAG Phoenix Supporters:
I
want to wish everyone a very happy and healthy New Year and
express my appreciation to you for your support of PFLAG
Phoenix. Often our members really come through and step up
to the plate in providing support, education and advocacy
to our members and the GLBT community.
Sometimes I have asked our members to go a little beyond
what we traditionally think of as our mission. This holiday
season I asked for help in making one family’s holiday a
little brighter by providing them with some gifts. This
family of four has just moved to the valley and are having
some difficulties getting their feet on the ground
financially. To say that our members came through for this
family would be an understatement.
It
is wonderful that our members care about each other and
reached out to this family and assisted them with gifts for
the two Mothers and their two sons. One of our members
provided tickets so the family could go to the Herberger
Theater and see a live production of A Christmas Carol, and
also assisted them with their December rent. Other members
provided clothing, toys and other gifts for the family that
brightened their holiday. Some of you reached into your
wallets and wanted the family to have a little extra
spending money during the holidays.
I
have talked with the family and they want me to express to
you their sincere appreciation for everything PFLAG Phoenix
has done for them. In talking with the two Mothers this
family has met with a lot of rejection in the past from the
communities where they have lived and the church they
attended. One Mother said that the acceptance they have
received from PFLAG here in Phoenix has been wonderful and
has made them feel welcome here in the valley.
Maybe when the holidays roll around again we can ask some of
the GLBT friendly churches if they know of a family that can
use a little help to brighten their holiday. If one of the
churches says yes, I know there will be PFLAG members who
will be ready to reach out and help.
Thanks for everything you do for PFLAG and the GLBT
community. As we start PFLAG Phoenix’s 30th
anniversary year here in the valley, I hope we will continue
to make positive differences in peoples lives.
Sincerely,
Dave Pape
President, PFLAG Phoenix
