In May of 1998, our Jack D. Gordon Elementary Kids 4 Kids Club won a $12,000 grant in The Northern Life Insurance Educations Unsung Heroes Award Program. The Club provides backpacks for homeless kids and other community service projects. Larry Stein, one of Northern Life's vice presidents flew in from Seattle, presented a six foot check and flew out that same afternoon. When we spent the money, we thought we would never hear from the company again. Not so! We have kept in touch with Larry Stein who remains excited and committed to keeping abreast of all our Kids 4 Kids projects.

In June, it was Mr. Steins pleasure to foot the bill for $400 in pizza and drinks for a party we threw at a homeless shelter. In August, he spread his angelic wings and flew back to Miami for the delivery of 1,500 backpacks. He traveled with us to 10 homeless shelters, passed out cookies, stickers, and shook the hands of each child who got a backpack and wished them a wonderful school year. That afternoon, he was once again Seattle bound. Now it is December and everyone is filled with the holiday spirit, including our angel from Northern Life Insurance, Larry Stein.

When he heard that Kids 4 Kids was adopting 70 homeless families, for the holidays, he asked what gift his family could give. Three days later, 70 disposable cameras came Federal Express to give the homeless families a chance capture their holiday memories. On Saturday December 12, 70 homeless families met the 70 families who adopted them, all bearing holiday gifts. They took part in eating 70 extra large pizzas so generously donated by Northern Life Insurance, a Seattle based company. They were thankful that they have an angel that lives on a Delta airplane who commutes between Seattle and Atlanta and opens his heart to the needy of a city called Miami.

Larry Stein has taught us a very valuable lesson, that is that angels are everywhere, not only in Heaven. Our best wishes go out to Northern Life Insurance and The Stein family. May you find as much joy this holiday season as you have spread throughout South Florida.

Beth Davis

Teacher

Kids 4 Kids Founder

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