Big Help Turns Out for Tiny Hands

The Tiny Hands Foundation aimed to help 1,600 families Saturday by giving them a Christmas they never had, but the organization itself had a tough year and fell short of that mark.

Still, volunteers were all smiles at the Boys and Girls Club off of Fruitville Road as they packed, wrapped, loaded and delivered baskets of toys, books and gift cards for a full Christmas meal to a little more than 500 families.

"These are tough times," organizer and foundation founder Rod Khlief of Sarasota told Patch. 

The positive in it is that the organization had the help it needed to make that day's venture a success, and still made families happy.

Devin Bosch volunteered at the event for the first time and heard about it because his wife Kelli Bosch works at the Boys and Girls Club. They were inspired to help to give because they know that others need help and their faith has ingrained that into them.

"It's a great experience to have and to be participating this time of year," he said.

The Tiny Hands Foundation’s focus is the annual Basket Brigade, where volunteers deliver baskets with gift cards for a turkey or ham, as well a complete meal, and toys and books for the children. The families are found through schools, social service organizations, churches and charities.

“We remain anonymous, we deliver the baskets, and there’s a note attached,” he “It says, ‘This is from someone who loves you. We only hope that you can do it for someone else one day.' ”

Khleif has paid out of pocket, thanks to a successful career in real estate, but he’s faced a challenge this year. Not only is his personal real estate in foreclosure, but he recently was injured seriously in a crash.

The accident caused him to slow down, and he had to bring in help. But Randy Bouck, unit director of the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota, said Khleif maintains high spirits, even showing up for a preparation meeting soon after the accident.

His daughter Alex Khleif said it was hard trying to slow down her father, urging him not to pick up so much. Her brother Myles Khleif served as his father's personal assitant to help him at times, but his drive to help others is too great.

"It makes me feel good that it's out of my Dad's heart," Alex Khleif said.

Tiny Hands also inspired others to do similar basket brigades in their own town.

Becky Noble of Sarasota shared how her son, Ben Enos, started his own basket brigade in Nashville where he lives now. He started with 10 and is now up to 85 baskets.

"This in inspring to others to start their own in other areas," she said. Enos' friends want to start ones in Utah and Georgia, too, she added.

Noble's husband, Michael Figgins, said the event and the reason why he volunteers is hopnig to inspire to the children who receive the baskets to be able to volunteer for others and give back one day.

"It's about teaching someone — a child — that you can do this," he said.

The organization asks for $28 to help pay for the baskets and all money goes to the families. Donations are being accepted for next year's event.

To donate, visit the Tiny Hands Foundation Web site.