From Jane in Miami, FL
Maya and her large family were wearing shy and happy smiles when we arrived. They live in a townhouse complex, 4 units to a building, and maybe 10 people to a unit. The halls and stoop were spilling over with young women and teenage girls, everyone in their native ethnic dress. It was like walking down a street on the other side of the world, instead of just a few miles from our house. This season finds them with more security and more basic human comforts than in previous years. Thanks for the Anthony Robbins Foundation— it brings so much to so many.

From Fran in Chattanooga, TN
Delia is a 66-year old grandmother who has taken in her four grandchildren, ages 4, 13, 15 and 17. She had a stroke five years ago and is doing the best she can on Social Security, but is not eligible for food stamps because the children are not hers. She's fighting hard to keep them out of foster care. My husband and I were very touched by her courage and generosity and offered to repair an old laptop and an old desktop computer for the teenage boys who had none. Now we’re looking for a printer and are shopping for groceries and gifts for them for Christmas. I grew up poor and received handouts, so I'm careful to respect people's privacy and pride. But thanks to the Anthony Robbins Foundation I’m reminded that kindness is the very best Power Within.

From Beatrice in Lodi, NJ
At a delivery we went to the seventh floor and much to our delight the family was home. We knocked on the door and heard "Who?" We responded, "Thanksgiving delivery". They opened the door, husband and wife, with a look of confusion and we told them that this Basket was an anonymous gift for the family. We handed them the basket and a $25.00 gift card with a note which read "This comes to you from someone who cares about you. All we ask is that you take care of yourself enough to be able to do this for someone else someday, Happy Thanksgiving". She started to get emotional and so did we, we started to walk away and she closed the door. As we waited for the elevator to arrive we could hear her sobbing and saying "Oh my God" over and over. Then we got into the elevator, some of us sobbing as well.

From Joseph in Port Saint Lucie, FL
So many moments to remember: The tears of joy of a grandmother holding the grandchild smiling for a family of 9 living in a motel, a woman with a family of 7 who was in a car wreck 3 years ago and could not afford to have a Thanksgiving meal this year, the look of surprise on people's faces knowing that someone or something is watching over them and has not forgot about them. We gave a small sign of hope in their lives. I am not sure which one of us was more blessed me or them.

From Joni in Coral Springs, FL
I contacted the Foundation to let them know of a family here in my town that has fallen on hard times. I was told that their information would be passed to the Basket Brigade coordinators in Florida. I didn't know what to expect. But a week later someone stepped up and assisted this family by sending them a gift supermarket card for groceries. It made all the difference in the world to know someone cares enough to go out of their way to help a stranger.

From Charlene in Hudson, MA
The volunteers that made delivered the baskets we had prepared returned with a sense of how great the need is in their town for programs like this and were overwhelmed with the feelings of gratitude they received upon delivering the food. They too were very grateful for the opportunity to give back and are looking forward to participating in any way next year. The town representatives were amazed at how much money we raised in only two months and are looking forward to doing similar things with us in the future. We raised more money than we expected so we are delivering to other families in need for Christmas!

From Donna in Burlington, CT
In the past years I've done the Basket Brigade with our closest friends and family. Because I knew it was going to be a tough year for those in need I decided to promote our Brigade through a few local newspapers. It produced amazing results; we grew our team from 30 people to 80. We have done the Brigade at our home for the last 8 years but next year we're moving it to a school or local fire station. Our new supporters loved the cause and have all committed to supporting us again next year!

From Justine in Ojai, CA
We delivered to a low-income trailer court (to the whole community) 1/3 of our volunteers were children. When one recipient couldn't stop crying my 4-year-old edged away at first. Then she understood the woman was simply crying tears of joy.

From Cheryl in Round Rock, TX
We ask elementary age children to participate - they notice such special things we as adults never notice. After delivering the baskets filled and carried in by 4 people the small boy about 8 could not believe what he was getting. As they were leaving he ran to the window and pressed his face against the pane to watch as we drove off. The younger children watched commenting how the young child never left the window and just could not believe his eyes. Of course everyone teared up to think this small act of kindness touches souls to the very core. Not just those that receive but the one who worked to prepare and give.

From Melissa in Oceanport, NJ
My favorite story comes from a 7 yr old little girl named Tessa. Her mom contacted me via your website asking to help with the Basket Brigade. She emailed me that she and Tessa would be working together to create a basket. Young Tessa had been saving her money for a bike in the spring and she selflessly gave her savings to help a stranger. She helped all day and even was part of delivering the basket.

From Judi in Bedminster, NJ
The Basket Brigade this year brought tears to our eyes to see families in need. It also brought tears of joy and gratitude for the ability to help and support others. We had a lot of compassion for the children wearing coats inside their home to keep warm and two families living with relatives because they lost their homes to fire.

From Michelle in La Jolla, CA
The day after our Brigade someone called to say they had a 23lb turkey they didn't want. We immediately found a family of 2 adults and 10 children without a Basket. That day I built 2 baskets of food for them and my husband and I delivered the next day bringing our total to 51 baskets for the year.

 

How Do I Get Involved?