You
must be the change
you wish to see in the world.
-
Ganotti - Uganda
Trip - April 5-20, 2005 Linda
recently returned from sub-Sahara Uganda where she sponsors
20 orphans through Hope
4 Kids International. The organization's mission statement
is to "bring hope to kids in the greatest need around
the world through health, dignity, joy and love."
"My
time in Uganda was the experience of a lifetime. It was the
most abject poverty I have ever seen, but the people were
humble, loving and so grateful. Most live in thatched roof
huts without floors. Malaria and HIV are prevalent. I went
thinking that I was going to help them and they changed me
in ways that will stay with me for a lifetime." Trip
Photos | | All
of Linda's Uganda Children | Linda's
teenage girls. | | | Linda
with three of her girls. | Linda's
youngest girl, Beatrice (B2) | | | Little
boy playing "hide and seek". | One
of Linda's boy, Michael. |
Christmas
Angel Program  Since
1985, when Linda Booker became an angel, she has touched
the lives of thousands of Valley children. That was the year
she started a program that today is called Christmas Angels.
Every
year, in August or September, the Valley Realtor starts collecting
toys and clothes for needy children. Booker and her volunteers
set up Christmas trees in participating Wal-Marts, Arrowhead
Community Bank and Compass Banks in the Sun City area. On
the trees are names of children and what they would like
for Christmas. Customers are invited to buy presents for
the children and leave them with the Customer Service Department.
Volunteers collect the gifts and arrange for their delivery
to the children.
Hope
4 Kids International In
1990 Linda started with her 1st child to adopt - a young
girl from Africa with World Vision. To date Linda has adopted
25 children that she contributes to per month from all over
the world from Chili to Uganda to India. The children come
from World Vision - Compassion International Missions of
Mercy - Hope
4 Kids International.  In
November 2004, Tom Eggum, Founder/President of Hope
4 Kids International, handed out quilts made by Linda
Booker and friends to Linda's adopted kids and other children
in Uganda.
Uganda
Blankets
(Hope 4 Kids International) |
Linda
has also provided over 2500 pairs of shoes to children in
Romania and Russia and is involved with building a Medical/Dental
facility in Uganda through Hope
4 Kids International. Back
Pack to School Program
Help get the upcoming school year off to a great start for
underpriveleged kids in the Valley! Just stuff a new backpack
with clothing (sizes can range from 5 to x-large, for 5-year-olds
to high school seniors) and school supplies (pencils, erasers,
crayons, spiral notebooks, calculator, etc.) - whatever you
can fit inside!
Then drop off the backpack at the
Realty Executives office at 59th Ave. & Loop 101, now
through September 15. All gifts are tax-deductible! Through
“Backpack to
School,” you can restore dignity and pride to the
children of our community.
Habitat For Humanity
Habitat
For Humanity - For the past 6 years Linda has been the
#1 supporter through Realty Executives and
has built a complete home herself. Against
All Odds Program
Linda is the Founding Funder for
"Against All Odds" program for Peoria School
District. It is a program that honors High School Seniors
who are graduating High School that have had either physical
or emotional situations that would have stopped another student
from graduating. They are honored at a banquet and given
College Scholarships.
Step
Up For Youth
 Thanks
to the volunteer leadership of David Kimmerle and a Step
Up For Youth campaign cabinet that includes
community leaders Linda Booker, Barry Edwards, Steven Frate,
William Kelleher, Arlene Kulzer, Dennis Landauer, David Livingston,
Colleen McPherson, David Sardella, James Tocker, D.P.M.,
and Rod Williams, the Glendale/Peoria YMCA will soon be significantly
expanded to accommodate the growing number of community residents
who utilize this active and often overcrowded Y branch on
the campus of Thunderbird, The American School of International
Management, on a regular basis. Community
Involvement: Board
Member Hope 4 Kids International CASA/Center
Against Sexual Assault
Awards:
 Sponsorships: |
