Construction Workers Have Big Hearts for Little Miracles

Though the construction industry is still wrenched by hard economic times, employees from McCarthy Building Companies in Newport Beach and subcontractors and vendors from the firm’s jobsites across Orange County moved forward with their annual Christmas toy drive with hopes of bringing some joy to critically ill children this holiday season.

Through McCarthy’s “Heart Hat” community service program, the firm’s employees, subcontractors and vendors donated approximately 1,000 toys and $1,500 in gift cards to Tustin-based Miracles for Kids annual food and toy drive in December.

Miracles for Kids is a non-profit organization that helps improve the lives of children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses by providing families with ongoing financial and other support necessary to survive financially during their child’s illness. The organization accomplishes this mission through funding research focused on eradicating life-threatening childhood diseases and by serving as an advocate for children and families who are fighting life-threatening illnesses.

“By providing our Grant families with essential items over the holidays, they have more time to focus their energy on their child’s needs,” said Miracles for Kids’ President Autumn Strier.

The Miracles for Kids’ Holiday Miracles 2009 was the biggest and most successful food and toy drive in the history of the Basket of Miracles program. Through the donations of several companies and community groups, the organization delivered over 2,000 toys, food and household goods to more than 200 Southern California CHOC Children’s Grant families.

“It was touching to see that even in these challenging economic times, so many people still found it in their hearts to donate to the children and make it a good Christmas for them,” said McCarthy Office Manager Linda Osborn. “We hope our gifts put a smile on the children’s faces and helped, at least in a small way, ease the stress and increasing financial burden these families must face during the holidays.”