Beneficiary and Volunteer Testimonials
"Saturday night February 2nd was unforgettable. A few months ago I was nominated for Charity for Charity. At first when I heard I was nominated I didn’t think I’d be chosen and continued to carry on trying not to get my hopes up, due to how many people applied. However, one day I was at school and when I had just gotten out of class, Charity had called me and told me I was chosen. I spent the next five hours contemplating what I truly wanted, since they asked me for a few wish ideas. 1. Charger game where I got to meet the players. 2. Disney where I got to go with my friends. And 3. A bird I’ve wanted for a few years. Now I figured I’d be lucky if I even got one...well I was wrong. I was extremely blessed to find out I would be receiving all of these plus a few extra things. Words cannot describe how thankful and blessed I feel. Thank you Shannon and thank you Charity and Alison. You guys told me at the very beginning I was going to be a part of the family, and at the gala I’ve never had someone be so right. Everyone was so incredibly sweet and welcoming to me along with Jennifer and Jacob who were the other two beneficiaries. You’ve given me multiple things to look forward to when I know this year, specifically summer, will be rough. Thank you
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"I can’t believe Stars of the Valley has already come and gone. I had the pleasure of meeting ALEX RUIZ, who’s a high school superstar athlete. He’s about to undergo an amputation from an injury during football this year. Marcus N Sarah Rudder And I were able to share our personal experiences with him and his family! This is my third year attending Stars, and each year has been so different! As I sat there and took in the evening, I thought to myself, “I could never miss a year of this!” Even the “inspirational” need to be inspired every once in awhile and that’s exactly what I took away from that evening."
"Hello all! Just wanted to let ya all know we are back home from our amazing cruise and trip! It is really hard to even put together a text to describe the time that our family had over the last week. The hotel was upgraded for keston and we got to stay in a suite in coconut grove Miami to start the trip! The disney cruise, well it truly is magical! It is so much more than we could of ever even imagined! Keston ran in the disney castaway cay 5k!!! Yes he pushed it and was a bit sore after but he is so proud of himself!!! We did it as a family! We rode wave runners in grand Cayman, Swam in the beautiful castaway cay, rented bikes on the island, tasted new foods, dressed like pirates, ordered room service, danced with dinner show, made new friends, drank fun drinks, saw amazing shows...i could just keep going! He stayed very healthy for the trip with some congestion/cough before the trip and still present today so we are keeping an eye on that! This trip was just what keston and the family needed, to fill alot of his painful and horrific memories with more fun and pleasurable memories! It is incrediable what charity for charity has given keston and our family, not just amazing trips but the confidence, connection, happiness, fight it has given keston. Thank you for all your support and love which has kept him fighting as well. His next chemo appoint is Jan 25th. I will keep you all posted! Thanks for all the prayers for a safe and wonderful trip!!!"
"We are beyond humbled once again by the outpouring of love from so many for our children and our family, and today especially from AC Pro for providing a day of pure joy for each of our babies. They are Fords biggest support and it was so great for them to be a part of his special gift today. Also and equally as important is Charity for Charity and the amazing work they do to bring happiness to those enduring or having endured incredible medical hardships. Thank you for reaching out to us and choosing to spread love and “Charity” to our family. 💙 There are many special people pictured here that God has placed directly in our journey. Now we’re praying Ford is able to enjoy this day with his siblings and be able to interact with them when we make the trip!"
I’m Melanie Assumma and I have been a volunteer “wish brigader” for almost 10 years now, and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon! I met Charity through her husband Alex when she and I were both pregnant with our first baby boys. Alex was sure our kids would go to school together and he was right! Circle forward to 12 years later, I invited Charity to lunch to talk about her amazing local non profit and after one meeting where I met the next round of beneficiaries, I decided to jump in with both feet. I have made some of my best friends between beneficiaries and fellow volunteers and built lasting memories for a lifetime. Everyone has a generous heart and cares deeply with the one goal of making the next Gala “our best one yet” and helping raise more funds to grant amazing wishes to these deserving people. It’s funny, when we can’t make a function Charity and Alison’s response is always “family first” but the amazing thing is this group also feels like your family so you feel like you are letting family down! CFC is my favorite “job” of all times, and I truly have the best “bosses” in them! They have my heart and this valley has my soul!
I responded to a Facebook post in 2016 looking for a volunteer photographer for a charity event at South Coast Winery. After responding and chatting with Michelle Haywood, I agreed to photograph the event. It was the 2017 Stars of the Valley, and it had a huge impact on me. As I was shooting the event, I was in tears hearing the stories and seeing what amazing things Charity for Charity was doing for these individuals and hearing the testimonials from past beneficiaries, I was hooked. I am a full-time professional photographer and how I support my family, but since that night I have donated my time to this incredible organization. Some of the best people I have ever met have been through Charity for Charity and most are very good friends, including the beneficiaries I have met through the 9 years of volunteering. I consider myself lucky to work with such an amazing group of people and look forward to working with them for as long as I can.
Since joining the Charity for Charity family in 2020, I have felt a deep sense of connection to something greater than myself. Being part of Wisbrigade holds significant meaning for me, as it goes beyond just donating my time. Working alongside individuals who share a common goal of service and compassion is incredibly rewarding, highlighting the strength of our collective effort. Overall, volunteering with Charity for Charity serves as a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and the positive change we can create together.
"Some blessings come into our lives exactly when we need them, even if we don't realize it at the time. This charity has been more than just an organization - it has been a family, lifting us up with kindness, love and unwavering support. Grateful for each and everyone of these beautiful souls who have touched our hearts in ways words can't fully express. We love you all so much!"
2016 was a year of unexpected blessings. Kassidy Brewer was nominated as a Charity For Charity Beneficiary - young adult. We had no idea what CFC was all about, but after the first meeting with Charity, Alison and Gig (Charity’s Dad), we felt seen, we felt the love, we felt like we were welcomed into a family. Little did Kassidy and mom (Donna) expect anything, however, after the Gala event, Kassidy received a limo ride to LA for the premier of “Miracles from Heaven”. It was a dream come true for us to watch the movie, not to mention meet the cast members at the after party, as well as the original family. It was a true honor. Kassidy’s wish was to go to Paris, France, trust me when I say that it was truly a “dream”. Angela Pettit, a CFC wish brigade volunteer was with us to speak the language, as she speaks fluent French. It was truly a trip of a lifetime. We are truly grateful for Kassidy’s dream to come true. What began as a season of receiving, has grown into a calling to give back. As a former beneficiary, we experienced firsthand the impact of compassionate service and support during some of the most challenging moments of our life. We know what it feels like to be vulnerable, to need help, and to find strength through the kindness of others. Today, stepping into the role of a volunteer, we carry that experience, not as a weight, but as a foundation. It fuels our empathy, deepens our commitment, and shapes the way we connect with those we now have the privilege to serve. Volunteering is more than an act of giving back; it’s honoring the journey that brought us here, and standing as a living testament that healing, growth and resilience are possible. In every task, conversation, and interaction, We strive to be for others what others once were for us: a source of HOPE, encouragement, and unwavering support. What was once a chapter of need has now become a calling to lift others - a full circle moment that we embrace with gratitude and purpose. Thank you Charity For Charity for changing our lives. We love you!
I am the mother of Kaitlyn Parra, a former beneficiary of C4C. My daughter became a beneficiary due to a traumatic life incident at the age of 16, from which we were told that “she would never walk, talk, or eat again”. At the time, I knew nothing about C4C. However, soon we were able to enjoy a trip to Boston and Washington DC (she’s a history buff). Most importantly, C4C provided much encouragement and support; opportunities became available to promote her fitness and gait, her public speaking skills, and her confidence in life. These are truly gifts that are God given and difficult to find in times of despair. Today, 14 years later, she is driving, living independently, and recently got her BS in Psychology. I was called to join the Wish Brigade in the wonderful mission that they are on… supporting the beneficiaries and their families in times when their lives are devastated by tragedy. This group is a blessing in so many ways!