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Community shares holiday spirit with needy family
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Anonymous user Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments The community far exceeded our expectations in making Christmas great for a local family. 

As a Hoffman Hospice chaplain, I (Wayne) met a neat little family consisting of a dad (David Martin), a mom (Lisa Martin), and their 9-year-old daughter, Ashley. I  purchased movie tickets to "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" for this family to attend and we went together to deliver this gift of love.

We always adopt a special family for Christmas, but this one was going to be very special.  After visiting the family, Becky became very motivated to do more than movie tickets. After she found out that David was in need of a liver transplant, Lisa was dying of cancer, and little Ashley may have her last Christmas with her parents, she knew she had to help.

Becky shared with her bowling friends the situation with this family, and thanks to John Pilios from Channel 17 News, the following day Spencer Washburn called and in no time this family’s plight was on television and the community’s love began to flow. Becky received over 120 phone calls in two days, thus enabling over 50 well-wishers to deliver more than 100 gifts to the Martin home on Dec. 23. 

David Martin stated that he felt much warmth and love in his yard as his many new friends sang "Silent Night" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."

Christmas Sunday at Cornerstone Church (Calloway and Meacham) many folks gathered at the front of the church to pray and tie knots in a special quilt that was made for the Martin family. I had the joy of leading David and Lisa to Jesus Christ, and both now say that they are at peace with God and He is in control.

The Martins wish to thank the folks who made their Christmas one to always remember. Thank you Channel 17 News; the Meade daughters (Terri, Tammi, Tina and Traci); David and Lisa McDaniel; Cornerstone Church; Riverlakes Community Church; Victory Chapel; and the Oaks.  Also a special thank you goes out to Mr. and  Mrs. Santa Claus; harmonica specialist Ron Langley; Hillcrest and Basham mortuaries; T.J. Cross Engineering; Toni Brewer for haircuts and nails; and most importantly, all the wonderful folks of the Bakersfield community.

What a difference a little love makes for a family in great need! Bakersfield is indeed a wonderful place to live, and the people in this community epitomize what love and kindness are all about.  Please keep the Martin Family in your prayers, and may the spirit of Christmas always live in our hearts. God bless Bakersfield.

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