Today is Giving Tuesday

Giving Back - Christie "Kalikie" Arnold

I wanted to give back to a charity to enrich the lives of stroke survivors. The founding fathers and I started this event after I had a massive stroke which affected my ability to effectively communicate.  My stroke left me with a choice to fight back or give up.  I chose to fight. I found an amazing place called the Stroke Comeback Center in Vienna, VA, for stroke survivors just like me.  My stroke was 8½ years ago and it was a long hard road but I believed in myself and found a way to regain my life back even if there are some quirks; but it suits me just fine. My ability to fight keeps me occupied and I will never give up as long as I live!

We started a golf tournament called the Kalikie Classic (it's my name in Hawaiian). It's been running for 8 years and the past year we raised over $15,000 for benefiting the scholarship fund. All the proceeds from this event are donated to the Stroke Comeback Center so that other stroke survivors can regain their speech. The Stroke Comeback Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit which provides support and services to families who have experienced a stroke, regardless of their ability to pay. They are the only facility like this in the DC metropolitan area.

My Giving Story  - Randy Kernus

I am so very proud to be involved with creating the SCC. So many wonderful possibilities have been created for the center. My most special donation has been from the DoMore24 United Way.

Currently we are doing the Caring Tree for the end of 2015. This year is telling people about how we can help survivors. Please help us to introduce as many individuals that can help our survivors. Stars for the holiday!

The most meaningful events that have happened to me as a survivor are from the Stroke Comeback Center. This organization helps some many people. These individuals are amazing. I have totally felt that. Four years ago I slowly began to understand what this center does. This center has helped so many survivors.

The center is my life.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! - Chris V

I'm a firefighter so that is great job for giving. I've got injured on my motorcycle heading to a fire department meeting, so I can't do a lot for the firehouse. So I give around Christmas running Santa runs. It's actually a lot of time, both time and planning. This year I've got 2 fire engines, 1 ambulance, 1-2 command car and 2 Chiefs cars. It's a lot of work! Hanukkah and Christmas every day except Sunday. Engines, ambulance and command vehicles are just decked out in lights. We collect Toys for Tots and Wounded Warriors. We're estimating around 400-450 gifts. It's a lot of toys!!

 Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!!