THIS IS A STORY OF TWO VERY DIFFERENT WORLDS IN ONE SMALL Town

Many years ago a few of my friends and I created a local not-for-profit charity/voluntary agency named “Joseph’s Home” in honor of my deceased brother.

It provides special needs housing to homeless individuals and their families living in Rockland County who have experienced one or a combination of mental illness, homelessness, chemical dependency, HIV/AIDS and other disabilities.

It’s locations and other details are not as important as its mission - It provides a permanent home for individuals and families who have not been blessed and given up all hope.

What is made available to these folks is more than a just a permanent home, it is a sanctuary, be it an apartment or a room in a small boarding house, that becomes a family home in the best sense of the words.

When my wife Eileen and I moved into an apartment complex for Seniors, some of my new neighbors learned what I was about and they asked me how they might bring some hope, pleasure and joy to at least one family.

I recommended a fatherless family of 3 generations living together with children & grandchildren in a very small two bedroom apartment, which houses an ailing grandmother, 2 adult children and 2 grandchildren, one of whom, the only boy, is dealing with an organ transplant, not to mention Grandmother’s very serious medical condition.

The result triggered an invasion of 18 ladies determined to make their lives a little better. Ergo, they gave me cash and gift cards for food and personal item for the family every month for over a 7 month period. The total is in the thousands without any fan fare or publicity.

To add to that, in the spirit of Christmas, they showed up with over $1,500 in cash and gift cards including one from the Red Lobster with the wish that the oldest daughter would take the family out for a holiday meal. They also delivered more than 6 shopping bags stuffed with personal gifts beautifully wrapped for each member of the family.

This Seal 6 Team was organize and is led by a lady named Kathy who is in the Photo with Santa, who could not do a better job that these incredible ladies.

What moved me more than their generosity was their modesty and sincere compassionate caring about a family they never met. Now they are one family in a beautiful sense.

I hope they find gratification to know that this unfortunate and very sweet and humble family has expressed their profound gratitude by saying nothing this nice has ever happened to them, with the exception of Joseph’s Home.