Christmas fever hits Peninsula 11 months early

By Tracy Holmes - Peace Arch News - January 24, 2008

There are those who regret voicing what they wish for. Sue Janetti isn’t one of them.

In fact, the Ocean Park resident is still in shock at the response to her recent plea for help in helping starving orphans.

“It’s huge. It’s fantastic. The joy I have has been overwhelming,” she said.

The Peace Arch News reported Jan. 16 that Janetti was desperate for assistance after a shipment of Christmas ornaments made by youngsters in Harare, Zimbabwe, arrived too late for the festive season. They were to be sold to fund food for the children, who lost their parents in the AIDS epidemic.

Instead, Janetti started the new year holding 600 of the stars, geckos, angels and trees, and the knowledge her charges might go hungry.

“My worry is that, if there are no donations, there’ll be no food for the children and they’ll die,” she said earlier this month.

This week, Janetti was gushing with excitement as she shared details of the immediate reaction to the dilemma.

“The day the story came out, I had e-mails. They come in daily,” she said Wednesday. “Most of (the ornaments) went within three days. It’s been phenomenal. I’ve got at least 300 outstanding orders. Emotionally, I can only describe it as joy.”

Janetti said people lined up at Tiggy Winkles Art Studio in Crescent Beach to donate to the cause in exchange for one or more of the ornaments. They were snapped up by as many as 12 at a time. One woman took 100, pledging to hand them out, challenging recipients to do their part.

Others simply handed Janetti a cheque.

“I had one gentleman give me $1,000,” she said. “I didn’t deposit the money because I wanted him to know I’m not a non-profit organization. I usually give something (in exchange).

“There’s no tax receipt coming back to him and yet he still gave $1,000.”

Donations have totalled more than $5,700 so far. White Rock Elks chipped in with 10 soccer balls to ship to the children.

In addition, Janetti has been asked to speak about her efforts at a school and in seniors homes, and for copies of the Peace Arch News story for people to use in promoting the effort further, including in Ottawa.

“This is going to be a full-time career,” she joked.

Janetti also donates money raised through her paintings to boost the fundraising. She finished four more Thursday. All proceeds from their sale will benefit the cause.

Next up, she’s hoping to build a website detailing the Zimbabwe project. Anyone interested in helping – or wanting to add their name to the ornament order list – may reach Janetti at oneagleswings@telus.net