I could hear the concern in my daughter's voice as soon as I answered the phone.  "Mom, I'm on the way to the emergency room with James, can you meet me there?"

She quickly informed me James, my six-year-old grandson, had suddenly lost his ability to speak.  His speech was slurred and she was able to understand only a few words.  We met at the hospital, James was admitted, and my daughter spent the night in James' room.

I received a call early the following morning from my daughter asking if I could please bring a few toys, games and books for James as he was scheduled for a full battery of tests over the next two days, and the hospital's playroom was filled with tattered books and games with missing pieces.  She gave me a few suggestions and I promised goodies for James and lunch for her.

Moments later the phone rang.  "Mom, guess what James is wearing?"  My daughter again.  Before I could reply, she said with a lilt in her voice, "He's wearing a Hero Hat from Happy Hats for Hospitalized Kids, http://happyhatsforkids.com/ and is coloring a picture in the activity book that was included in the kit.  He thinks he looks pretty cool in the hat and it took his mind off the blood tests and poking and prodding."

Two months prior Sheri Schrier, the founder of Happy Hats for Kids, a non-profit organization headquartered in Torrance, California, called to ask if I would like to participate in their annual fundraiser by sending invitations to my real estate farm areas in Palos Verdes.  At the time, I had neither heard of Happy Hats for Kids nor met Sheri Schrier.  However, she lives in a Rolling Hills Estates neighborhood where I have sold several homes.  She kept my newsletter, picked up the phone and called to ask for my help.  I agreed to participate, and sent 1700 invitations to the Spring Event. I expected nothing in return.

 At the time I agreed to mail those invitations James was sitting in the backseat of the car singing in his perfect pitch angelic voice.  My daughter swears it was divine intervention. It was definitely a wonderful example of paying it forward.

Check out the website happyhatsforkids.com and see why I'm happily serving on the Board of Directors of Happy Hats for Hospitalized Kids.  It's a community affair.  The hats are made by prison inmates, packaged by the developmentally handicapped and distributed to hospitalized children throughout the Los Angeles area.  We would love to expand the program. Donations are graciously accepted and deeply appreciated.

James is the little redhead taking on the big guys in the photo above!