On January 6, Italians celebrate Epiphany, when the three kings came to give gifts to Jesus. Legend says that Befana was an old woman who was invited to follow the kings, but was too busy to go. Later, she regretted her choice and tried to find them. Befana spends her life seeking out all little children and filling their stockings with little candies.
The holiday season is also wonderful time to reach out in service to others. This was an incredible year for Foundation 4Life® projects. Below are just a few of the many ways in which you've been able to make a big difference:
—Since introducing 4Life Fortify™, we have already provided over one million meals to hungry children around the world. Thank you! Please help us reach our next one million meals. Plus, starting in early 2011, you can read all about our worldwide donations on 4lifefortify.com.
—We began a relationship with the Children of the Andes Foundation, an organization for kids living on the streets of Colombia. Foundation 4Life funded the renovation of a home for siblings. An additional donation of $45,000 from November will help the organization purchase furnishings, school supplies, playground equipment, and other items.
—The Home Office employees are participating in a food drive for our local food pantry during the holiday season, and employees will volunteer at the Utah Food Bank in January 2011. Also, we will donate physical education equipment to an elementary school in our community for underprivileged children and school uniforms for children in Honduras who were recipients of 4Life Fortify in July 2010.