On Christmas day, Candi cooked two turkeys and made enough food to feed an army. Candi had suggested earlier in the year that Whitney Hope could provide a meal to the staff and family members of Spinal Cord Injury patients at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (where Dan was hospitalized).

"I remember last year and how empty it felt" Candi said. "There were no restaurants open and the cafe at the hospital was closed". This year proved to be different.

Candi, Dan, the kids, and Grandma loaded the car with food and delivered turkey for dinner and cookies for dessert. A label was placed on each plate, which read: Donated by Whitney Hope a former patient with a message of ENCOURAGEMENT! www.whitneyhope.com. Dan visited many rooms and spoke with patients and family. One patient stated "Thank you for giving me hope, this was by far my best Christmas present". Mission accomplished!

Throughout 2002, Whitney Hope will be donating magazine subscriptions, a toaster oven, and other items as a small token of appreciation, but also a symbol of what is to come. The extension to the Spinal Cord Unit for patient's families is the ultimate goal. We'll get there...........Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!