I want to share an amazing story of love and compassion which I just learned about from lawyer and humanitarian Laine Wagenseller.Â
As a background, in June of 2012, Dollies Making A Difference sent 24 dollies and 15 colorful teddy bears with Laine on his visit to Kaihura, Uganda, where he and members of the Los Angeles real estate litigation firm that bears his name, Wagenseller Law Firm, had just raised the money to build a dormitory for the Bringing Hope To The Family orphanage there. Bringing Hope To The Family “provides care, support, and hope to orphans and families afflicted by poverty and disease in southwest Uganda.  Since 2000, this organization has provided shelter, food, schooling, medical care, and so much more to over 1,500 orphans and other vulnerable children.”Â
Here is a photo of one of the young boys who received a colorful teddy bear, and an excerpt from the newsletter Laine Wagenseller just sent me:
What if you could not walk? Adolf is 12 years old. Five years ago his aunt punished him by pouring hot water and banana leaves on his legs. With the resulting extensive burns on both of his legs, he cannot extend his legs and can only shuffle around on all fours.
Adolf was brought to the Bringing Hope to the Family orphanage in Uganda earlier this year. When I was at the orphanage in June, I would walk Adolf and the other kids to school in the morning. Adolf would lag behind but he always had a smile on his face.
When I returned home, my friend and fellow Rotarian Susan Griego saw a photo of Adolf and introduced me to Carol Horvitz, Executive Director at the Children’s Burn Foundation. Tanya Sorkin, the Foundation’s Operations Manager, worked with me to get all of Adolf’s information to the doctors at the Grossman Burn Center. Another Rotarian, Bill Barrett, sits on the Foundation’s Board and reviewed Adolf’s case.
 The result? Adolf and an adult from the orphanage (Eva) are flying in this Monday to start eight months of surgeries and rehabilitation, all paid for by the Children’s Burn Foundation. Â
When I think of the things that I am thankful for this season, I think of Adolf and the fact that he will be able to walk and play again. I am also thankful for the many friends who were so willing to help out to make this possible.  This Thanksgiving I recognize all of the things that I take for granted and all the blessings that are all around me. With thanks, Laine
How privileged and fortunate are we, as members of Dollies Making A Difference, to be able to be  just a tiny part of Adolf’s journey towards recovery? Â
Indeed “To Give is to Receive”