Fourth Annual Dream Drive for The Salvation Army with Sam's Club and Off the Field (plus Giveaway) ~CLOSED

     Thursday I was fortunate enough to attend a wonderful event at Sam's Club with members of Off the Field, a professional football players' wives association.  The event is called Dream Drive for The Salvation Army and its Adopt-a-Family program.  There are 10 families in each of the 10 selected cities across the country that will received $1,000 worth of food and holiday gifts.

     The 10 cities are Baltimore; Chicago; Cincinnati; Dallas; Houston; Miami; Philadelphia; Phoenix; San Francisco/Oakland and Washington. All 10 cities participated yesterday. The Off the Field members in each city were able to select gifts for the adopt-a-families. Here in Arizona the Arizona Cardinals wives attended the event. There was a mix of current and retired players wives that attended and even a couple of children. The wives that attended included Leslie Swann, Ericka Lassiter, Lindsey Sendlein, Dana Ware, Roslyn Wilson, Elizabeth Anderson, Shellie Berry, Brenda Bridges, and Rebecca Feely along with two of her children, Alexandra and Jace.

     The event started with the wives ringing the Salvation Army Bell outside of Sam's Club here in Chandler. Then they all moved inside and were given a flat bed cart, a clipboard with the information on a family and a calculator. The wives were given a budget of $800 to spend on holiday gifts for the whole family. The wives were ready to get to the shopping. They each went into their own direction some starting at clothing, some with toys, and some in the electronics department.

     The ladies of Off the Field were genuinely having a great time shopping for the families. When asked how they feel about the event they all had very similar responses, "this is such a wonderful event. Sam's Club is so generous and The Salvation Army does so much for families in need." One of the wives said that she loves to give back and donate to needy families and especially single moms. Another wife shared that she has been teaching her children the importance of giving to those that are less fortunate.

     Some of the great gifts selected for the families included clothing, Vreaders, DVD's, train sets, baby dolls, ipods, pots and pans, tools, and Wii gaming systems. In fact some of the wives wanted to get the Wii gaming system, but the store was out of stock. The Sam's Club employees were so nice they contacted another store in Gilbert to see if they had any in stock. Then an employee went and picked up the wii's so they could purchase them for the families. I thought this was such an over the top for Sam's Club. They really did do so much to help make this holiday so wonderful for the families. 

     After selecting all the gifts for the families everyone joined in on wrapping the gifts. I even jumped in and helped some. It was great to see how much they were able to get for the families. Sam's Club really did have some great prices making it easier to stretch the money. The flat bed carts were overflowing with gifts. When all the gifts were wrapped they were loaded into a few Salvation Army vans (it was like 5 or 6).

     Today, Saturday, December 19, the Arizona Cardinals wives along with The Salvation Army and Sam's Club presented each of the recipient families the gifts from Sam's Club along with a $200 gift card to purchase food. Although I was not able to make this event I know that it was a truly magical time and it helped to make some dreams come true. I was send some photos from the event and I know that the families were excited about these gifts. The wives from Off the field were there to enjoy

     I was so honored to have been invited to this event. It really was so wonderful to see the giving spirit of all involved. Sam's Club generosity is so huge with the gift of $100,000. This money is going to make dreams come true for 100 families across the country and 10 of those families are here in Arizona. It really makes me happy to be a part of it all. I know every time I see a bell ringer for The Salvation Army outside of my local Sam's Club I have and will continue to donate. It doesn't take much, even a few coins will add up quickly. I am working to teach Jayden the importance of giving to others and he loves to put the coins in the red buckets. I really encourage you to do the same. When out doing your holiday shopping please take a moment to donate. The Salvation Army makes it easy by having them right outside the stores. Even if you don't have a lot to give, your spare change adds up to make a difference.

Myself with Rebecca Feely (wife to Jay Feely AZ Cardinals field goal kicker), Alexandra and Jace.

Ericka Lassiter, president of Off the field and wife to Retired Arizona Cardinal Kwamie Lassiter and myself.

And to top off all the generosity of Sam's Club they are sponsoring a giveaway right here on Arizona Mama.

Win it: One of you lucky readers will win the Chenille Kraft Letters and Numbers Puzzle Mat (Value $37.22)! I am a little jealous.. this looks great!

Mandatory Entry: You must be a public follower of my blog and Tell me What you do to Donate or give to others. This giveaway is open to US only. Ends January 8, 2011

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The @SalvationArmyUS @SamsClub Off the Field Make Dreams Come True (+ #giveaway) @fancygrlnancy #DreamDrive 1/8 http://tinyurl.com/29y4tn3
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I was invited to participate in the event to help with my post.. I was not compensated in any other way. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Thank you to Sam's Club, The Salvation Army, and Off the Field for the opportunity to participate in this wonderful event. Disclosure policy