Wounded Heroes of America, La Habra California

Dollie makers Cindy, Dorothy, Vicki, and Judy hopped into a car on a rainy afternoon to drive to El Cholo Restaurant in La Habra, California ( 90 minutes south east of LA).  We weren’t just going for a delicious dinner, (which we certainly DID enjoy!), but principally we were taking dollies, colorful teddy bears, crocheted lap blankets-scarves-caps, and toys to an  “Operation Santa” holiday drive organized by The Wounded Heroes of America.  The veterans and an all volunteer crew meet monthly with the families to enjoy each other’s company, provide emotional and financial support, and to assist in a myriad of ways to help rebuild relationships and lives which have been shattered by the effects of combat.

Mike Talleda, President, described how the holiday drive works: “We work with wounded veterans who have returned from the Iraq and Afghanistan war and their families.  The idea of the holiday drive is that our wounded warriors do as much of the work as possible.  So they will be identifying kids for gifts, wrapping, delivering or if necessary, shipping. They “own” the wrapping job by signing it – so when the child gets the gift, he or she will know it was wrapped by Sgt Felipe Adams or Cpt Manny Rivas, or Spc Shawn Trujillo with love as well.  They really enjoy the whole experience but especially the delivering part!  One of them will put on a Santa suit and they pile into SUVs full of gifts and hit the highways.  

When we first started having the guys take responsibility for the Christmas holiday drive we thought it was for the kids, but the longer we do this, the more we realize it’s more for their own recovery than anything else…it just so happens they make a bunch of kids really happy in the process.” 

Dorothy shares: “This was the first time I got to actually, directly, hand over the “gifts” to a recipient group, and I must tell you that I was overwhelmed with good feelings.  When a little girl saw the blue-haired dollie and desperately wanted it, I realized how very, very special it was.  Hopefully she will get that dollie on Christmas morning!  It was fun giving the glitzy scarves to the 4 little girls in the room.  In my brief conversation with Jesse, the veteran who had been blinded in combat, he told me how good he felt to be recognized for serving his country.  For whatever reasons, these veterans choose to enlist, and I felt very appreciative of their sacrifices.  When we handed over our donation of $500, the applause and smiles throughout the room overwhelmed me!   The financial donation was an unexpected surprise for them, and truly appreciated.  The veterans will have fun shopping, wrapping, and delivering the special gifts this donation will provide, including our dollies and colorful teddy bears.” 

Judy said: “I’ve been thinking of Mike Talleda’s description to us of the guys sitting at the tables.  Each was smiling and enjoying the evening, yet each had some sort of devastating injury either physical or PTSD. One person I spoke to was awaiting the amputation of his knee.  I was so impressed with the warmth of greeting we received by everyone there.”

Vicki commented: “What stood out for me were the families coming into the event, and how immediately they were absorbed into the group and welcomed.  I remember Mike saying some families traveled from as far away as San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernadino …The descriptions we got from Mike of the wounded soldiers made an impression on me because now I could put a face to a name, and see that although they had “lost” something due to the war, they have given so much to their country.  For that we should all be thankful”. 

Yesterday we received a note from Mike (excerpted):  “Thank you so much for the great gifts; they’re beautiful and original and I can already tell what a big hit they will be with the kids…I don’t know how many of your friends are involved with this work but you guys have a lot of talented friends. It’s hard to find a toy that is not made in China these days, so you can imagine how refreshing it is to be able to give a gift that is original and creative and made with so much love – it’s really a treat. Please pass our heartfelt thanks to all involved.”

Indeed:  “To Give is to Receive”

Dollie makers Judy, Cindy, Vicki, and Dorothy together with director Mike Talleda (in brown sweater) and Harvey Jacobson who connected us with the Wounded Heroes of America organization

Judy holds the special blue haired dollie, while Vicki presents Mike Talleda with the $500 donation from Dollies Making A Difference to Wounded Heroes of America.

We loved getting to know this delightful family who are incredibly supportive of their husband & father who is a brave and caring veteran.

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As a follow up, we just received this WONDERFUL message from Mike Talleda, President Wounded Warriors of America,  10 days before Christmas: