Auspicious Beginning to Lunar New Year

Dearest Philanthropy Mafia,

Thanks to your generosity and spirit, we were able to pay for the shipping to send a box filled to the brim with books, school supplies and clothes.

*33 books

*34 pieces of clothing

*12 colored pencils

*96 no. 2 pencils

*8 markers

*12 oil pastels

*96 crayons

*5 erasers

*3 glue sticks

*2 pads of construction paper

*2 notebooks

Donations from: Teri & Helmut Peindl, Anna Honda, Louise Roberts, Katherine Wong, Martine Jardel, David Klein, Yosh Haggerty, Jennifer Orlando, Fran Navarro, The Lyon Family, Marcia Lau, May Young, Grace Lau, Leah Lau, Allison Lau, Eric Lau, and Cathy Lau.

The Philanthropy Mafia: Andrew Chandler, Anna Shurter, Anna Wallace, Anood Taqui, Autumn Engel, Benny Lee, Brian Checkoway, Camille Calichon, Cristina Tejada, Daniel Clemens, Dee Iraca, Dina Mackin, Dominic Lucia, Dora Fang, Drew Byrne, Fran Navarro, Gray Clossman, Ian Locke, Isaac Hill, Izabela Akerman, Jane Kenny, Jen Greene, Jeremy Mulder, Joanna Parks, John Mack, Jon Marr, Jose Portillo, Julie Brown, Justin from New Zealand, Karl Mauks-Koepke, Lara Edge, Lauren Patti, Martin Chai, Mark Berman, Matt Wood, Michael (Anna's guest), Mo DeJong, Michael Michon, Ray Ortigas, Rick Wood, Sadie, Santiago Suarez, Scott Houston, Sean Iraca, Sheridan Pauker, Tim Lang, Tony Brasunas, Torr Melling, Windy Borman, and Yan Liu.

The Rainbow Connection: Drew Byrne, Helmut & Teri Peindl

Dearest Drew, Helmut and Teri,

Thank you so much for the two perfect boxes of books all of the way up from Los Angeles!

They're such a charming mix of classics like the Tales of Peter Rabbit and educational books like the Children's Atlas of the United States and the Wildlife Fact File. The ELMA students will be so excited to receive them!

Drew,

You are such an angel for spending part of your birthday weekend personally delivering the books. Your love and support have always meant the world to me. To three decades of friendship and counting!

Helmut & Teri,

I have heard so much about you from Drew, I feel like I know you. Across the short distance of our lovely Golden State, I at least feel like I know your kind and generous hearts. You've been such amazing friends to Drew and, by extension, to me. We're so lucky to have you in our lives. Until the next time I'm in L.A.

Love,

Leah