#SoleVision: Meet The Helpers.

Planting Seeds of Success

Dedicated to Rich and Christina, Yarmouth’s Very Own Mr. and Mrs. Claus

#SOLEVISION

I’d like to share a personal encounter that touched me deeply—a new connection with Rich and Christina, two very special, long time clients of Artistic Grounds. This #SoleVision spotlight is not just about them; it's about the authenticity, generosity, and community spirit that they embody.

Every year, they make it their holiday mission to go store to store collecting brand new toys for donation to Salvation Army. As part of this tradition, Artistic Grounds contributes our time and equipment to assist in transporting these gifts to be donated, and this year, I had the privilege of being part of it. What I did not know is that this experience would touch me so personally.

Rich and Christina, Yarmouth's very own Mr. and Mrs. Claus, epitomize the gift that keeps on giving, and meeting them was truly a privilege. I had heard several stories from prior years, but when I arrived at their home, I was somehow still shocked to see how much their garage and driveway overflowed with toys and bikes that they had personally picked out and purchased for kids of all ages.

Watching them both, with infectious enthusiasm, tossing giant stuffed animals out of their second-floor window was a scene that made me laugh and warmed my heart. Though, I half expected them to knock our crew member, Cam, over like a little kid, as he caught them in the bed of the AG truck. It was a sight that would delight the inner child of even the grumpiest grinches and had our whole crew smiling from ear to ear.

Assisting with this project was an opportunity to witness firsthand what genuine human kindness looks like. Beyond the abundance of toys, the Radleys went above and beyond, treating our team to gestures that mirrored the warmth and generosity they were already contributing. Their gratitude towards us was heartfelt, but what I truly want to express here and now is my gratitude for them, and for others just like them. There's a quote by the beloved Fred Rogers that I heard once, which said,

'My mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother's words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world.’

This quote has always resonated with me, as I have been witness to this truth throughout my own life during especially hard times.

In my early adulthood, as a newly single parent facing financial challenges, I personally leaned on services like Salvation Army. I can remember years where I didn't know how I was going to put food on the table, nevermind Christmas presents under the tree, but the 'Helpers' always showed up in my world just when I needed them most. While I am grateful to say that I am in a much better place now, I will never forget the hard times or the people who helped shape my journey.

My success today is a reflection of their belief in me when I did not believe in myself, and their support during times when I was not sure how to support our little family of three all by myself. I believe that I am successful today because of people just like Rich and Christina, those who rang my doorbell and left anonymous presents from Santa on my step so that I wouldn't have to worry if Christmas would happen for my two little ones, Josh and Eleanor. The kind of people that donate toys to strangers that they will never meet, simply because they want to help.

It's not often that the people who give so much of themselves to others in this way are able to see its true impact, and that is why it is so important to me to verbalize just how much these acts of kindness mean to me and my family.

At present, I am in a wonderful place, working at a company that supports me and my children in ways that I could not have imagined, but I will never ever forget how much we struggled. Even more so, I will never forget how many people helped me to create such a beautiful life for myself and my kids. Because of them, my #SoleVision is now centered around giving all that love that was poured into me, back to my own community and those around me.