Dear California Rainbow,
I was given the opportunity to choose the Grand Service Project and after lots of searching I came across Straight from the Heart. A dear friend of mine was a foster child most of his life and was never adopted, hearing his stories of abuse and later about his time in foster care opened my eyes to how dearly foster children need our help. I heard about Straight from the Heart from one of his former foster mothers, she said Straight from the Heart had helped her more than anyone, but they were a small organization and could use some help.

Straight from the Heart is located in San Marcos, which is in the San Diego area. They have a thrift shop, training center for foster parents to get advice and learn important skills as well as some rooms for child care. They also have a wonderful room full of new items for the children's care packs. Sometimes children come into a new foster home with nothing but the clothes on their backs, so Straight from the Heart provides them with a carepack of hygiene products, clothes and toys. The kids are also given school supplies because they continue their schooling even during the foster care transition. All of Straight from the Heart's services are free to foster families and are a big help. They are such a special organization because they provide new items for children who may have never had a blanket or teddy bear of their own. They help foster parents with the struggles of both parenting and the legal system.

When I began my year as Grand Worthy Advisor, I had no idea what to expect when I announced the new Grand Service Project. I hoped that everyone would like my choice, but I was overjoyed to see how everyone has helped this year. Girls have made blankets and many have contributed gift cards and items for care packs at their Official Visits. When it came time for school to start up again, Mrs. Martin and I asked for donations of school supplies, it was amazing to see just how much California Rainbow wanted to help! We got all that we needed for the kids and more, it was truly amazing and I couldn't help but feel truly blessed by the kindness and generosity of our assemblies. People have been asking me if Straight from the Heart needs anything donated right now, my best advice is to "think ahead." If you want to donate something, think of important events that are coming up. Fall and winter means Halloween and Christmas, two holidays that kids get really excited about. If you would like to donate items but don't know what to contribute, we always need items that kids go through a lot of, like socks of all sizes!

My year as a Grand Officer is almost halfway over now, and I can't help but dream of the day when I'm standing in the East in front of all of you waiting for the moment I can read off the total for the Grand Service Project. I know it will be a powerful moment for everyone, and I cannot thank you enough for this opportunity. You have all made me feel so proud to be part of this great organization and I know we can make a difference this year for the foster families that need our help!

Panther Paws of Love,
Shannyn Allan
Grand Worthy Advisor 2006

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view of front of SFTH	training room for foster parents to take classes on topics such as first aid/cpr
care rooms for the children are used while the parents are receiving training
Finding Nemo (blue) room for the toddlers	Winnie the Pooh Room (purple) for babies