All The King’s Horses Children’s Ranch

Volume 8 Issue 1

He who loves

with purity

considers not

the gift of the lover, but

the love of the giver.

Thomas a’ Kempis

1380 – 1471

Year gone by & Year to come

For the past several years, some of Benson’s winter visitors & Tucson businesses sponsored Christmas parties and presents for The Children’s Ranch.  This year the leaders of that initiative, Larry & Donna Webb, came up with a new idea.  Or should I say, Donna came up with a new idea.  Larry smiles lovingly when Donna saunters up to him with a beaming, “Larry!  I have a great idea!”, knowing it will cost him time and/or money. 

Donna’s new idea came about because in the past when the children opened their presents, you could tell it was not always something they really liked.  So she came up with praying about purchasing gift cards for each child and then taking them shopping.  As we prayed about it, it became clear Donna’s idea was divinely inspired.

People began to give toward The Christmas Event.  Funds came in to take twenty-nine (29) children!  Folks volunteered to drive.  Children and volunteers met together for prayer and instructions beforehand.  I asked the children not to purchase anything I would not approve of – no violent games; no violent music; no M&M.  (Afterward, Donna said the seniors wondered why I wouldn’t approve of M&Ms since I am such a chocolate fan.  I explained M&M is a rock group whose lyrics depict and idolize violent murder of loved ones.  We chuckled about the generation gap and that she was relieved the kids could have chocolate M&Ms.)

The children were urged not to spend the entire amount on themselves; but to buy for at least one other person as well.  With that Donna handed each child a WalMart gift card for $50.00.  We closed in prayer.  Lastly Donna wanted the children to know that this Christmas Event was sponsored by people who had been blessed by the Lord so much that their abundance flowed over onto them, the children.

What a time we all had.  The youngsters were very generous buying for others.  One boy only bought for his mom.  Got her a phone card and then called her every few minutes during the afternoon of shopping and eating.  At the pizza joint we wrapped the presents.  Then we sang happy birthday to Jesus, cut a cake, ate pizza and drank soda.  Thank the Lord it was early enough in the day for everyone to run off all the carbs!

Thank you, volunteers and givers, for making this a Christmas never to be forgotten.  The children learned it is not easy to shop; it is work to shop well for others; no matter how much money we have, it seems like we always needs just a little bit more; wrapping each present just right sometimes takes more than two hands; and that a giving heart first started with God Himself who loved us so much that He gave …  He gave His only Son – and that is WHO Christmas is all about.

P O Box 2063

Benson, AZ  85602

520-586-0267

520-730-9793

 hisranch@msn.com

atkhchildrensranch.org

 President

Ana Lucore

 Vice President

Susan Vaughn

 Programs Director

Ruby James

 Treasurer

Jim Cox

 Secretary

Kathy Stevens

 Chaplain

Mark Stevens

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personal gain.

We are a 501c3

non-profit corporation.

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tax-deductible receipt.