| February 21, 2006
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| Scripps' Jill Hammons and the Narcisse family in the Scripps rose garden. |
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After seven long weeks, two families finally got to meet each other.
At holiday time each year, the good folks at Scripps Institution of Oceanography Administration adopt a family in need. Not only does it help the struggling family, it brings joy to the hearts of the staff.
Jill Hammons, Scripps special events director, developed this year’s connection when she became a board member of the new nonprofit group ARTS (A Reason to Survive). Since ARTS partners with Children’s Hospital, she was able to find a needy family.
This past holiday was truly unique. What transpired was an outpouring of care and concern for National City resident Kimberly Narcisse and her three young children. Kimberly, a single and abused mom, has breast cancer and her youngest son, three-year-old William, has a severe case of sickle cell anemia. They were facing a bleak holiday with Kimberly and William in and out of the hospital. Over a two-week period, the staff at Scripps created a bright spot of hope by delivering dozens of wrapped presents, a tree, decorations, bedding, toys, clothes, food, as well as a year-long membership to the Birch Aquarium at Scripps.
At first tentative, the family was soon overjoyed and a special friendship began. During the final delivery of gifts, Hammons gave Kimberly her business card in case the family needed anything. In two days, that call came.
Kimberly was behind on her rent due to her cancer treatments and illness. She had tried to pay a little each month, but it was just not enough. And, although the rental company was trying to work with her, the balance was growing. Kim was informed that she and her family would soon be evicted. So she did the only thing she could: She called her new friends at Scripps. Hammons sprang into action and contacted her co-workers and, in a few short hours, more than $1,800 was collected to pay the arrears and part of the next month’s rent.
On February 7, the Narcisse family finally visited Scripps to thank their “other family” in person. Walking through the building, going from office to office, Kimberly was tearful and very appreciative. Eight-year-old Donesha hugged every single person she saw. Ten-year-old Romaine “high-fived” all his new friends and little William ate chocolate and shyly smiled.
The events of the past few months have showed a struggling family that complete strangers are capable of kindness, compassion, and caring. Hammons says she hopes that the Narcisse family, particularly the children, will someday “pay it forward” and show the very same caring to others in need.
Thanks to the family at Scripps Administration, another family is doing much better now.
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