A MESSAGE FROM
MARJORIE VANESKAHIAN BURR, ACO CEO

A Special Message Just For You…

It’s this time of year that All Community Outreach sees both the best and the worst of the season. Let me explain…

While we see families daily who are stressed and scared about how to pay their rent and utilities, feed their children, and find gainful employment, the holiday season adds another level of despair to many. The added expenses that come with gifts and toys that all children desire, the extra groceries needed while they are home during the Christmas break, and the pressures to bring joy and happiness to all when you are facing hunger and homelessness are overwhelming.

This is when ACO is needed most by hundreds of Collin County families. Our kind and patient staff are here to counsel, assist financially, offer support for higher education opportunities and skills to find better paying jobs, meet prescription needs, and more. It’s our most hectic and busy time of year.

I remember one dear grandmother who came up to me during our toy giveaway and asked if I was in charge. I kindly said yes, though I was one of many leading the distribution. I was ready to hear a complaint or plea for more assistance. She had more bags of toys in her arms than she could carry and 3 toddlers following behind.

There were tears in her eyes as she said to me, “Ma’am, I need to find the person to thank for this. I am raising my grandchildren, these 3 and 4 more at home. I’m doing my best, but at my age it is very hard.” I nodded and said “Oh, I can imagine. How can I help you?”

She said, “You already have, and I just need to tell someone how grateful I am. Without these gifts, my grandkids would have nothing for Christmas. They would think that Santa Claus forgot them.”

Now I had tears in my eyes as well. I explained that she could thank the community for these gifts. That ACO depends on the generosity of our donors to make this program possible.

I took a few bags from her arms and asked to help carry them to her car. This was a few years ago, but I have never forgotten that beautiful little grandmother barely taller than the kids following beside her, with so many lines of stress and pain on her face, and her long silver hair.

Believe it or not, that is the best part of this season for me, our staff and the volunteers and donors who know the impact they have with their time, their donations and their care for others. Knowing that we live and work in a community that never ceases to give, and to support their neighbors is amazing.

And, I am grateful for YOU. Without your support, year after year, ACO could not provide the weekly assistance with housing and food. Without your support this time of year, we could not provide thousands of children with school supplies in the Fall, feed their families during the holidays with traditional Thanksgiving meals, and give lots and lots of toys at Christmastime.

One more thing…

THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS MESSAGE IS THE ASK I HAVE FOR YOU. While ACO needs your support year-round, it is the holiday season when our funds run low and the need is so high. I ask you to share your gift, no matter the size to bring joy and security into the lives of another family this season who is less fortunate.

Your gift will provide toys for children who otherwise would have nothing to open on Christmas morning, or a holiday dinner for a family who cannot afford groceries. Your gift will provide warmth with utility assistance to a household facing disconnection notices, or even keep a roof over their heads this season by helping with rental assistance. PLEASE DONATE ONLINE TODAY, and help us provide for thousands of your neighbors in need

From our ACO Family to yours, we wish you a very Happy Holiday Season!

MARJORIE VANESKAHIAN BURR, ACO CEO