My name is Dr. Kim Kimpel. I hold a Doctorate of Ministry from The California Graduate School of Theology and am also a pastor; I have a Masters of Organizational Leadership from Biola University and a Bachelors of Business Administration from Milliken University. I have been married to professional bassist and recording artist Larry Kimpel for twenty years. We are both natives of Chicago Illinois and we have one son, Jordan who is sixteen. We attend New Beginnings Community Church in Norco. As far as interests go, I am an avid reader, Hallmark Mystery Channel Lover, I love to line dance, I Jazzercise and I love to shop…I really love to shop.

My husband Larry and I moved from Chicago to Los Angeles at the urging of a friend about nineteen years ago and we’ve never looked back. We soon moved to the Inland Empire and have lived in the Eastvale/Corona area for seven years.

Our non-profit organization is called "The Christmas 365 Foundation" [www.thechristmas365foundation.org]. Our fiscal year begins at Christmas time when we adopt new families into our 100% privately funded program. For the past five years, through the kindness and generosity of family, friends and donors, we have been empowered to stand in the gap for needy families in our community. We’re also beginning to reach out to lend a hand in other states as well. One family that we have helped in the last couple of years actually resides in Texas.

My husband Larry and I founded "Christmas 365" quite simply because I love to give, or should I say… I live to give! Anyone who knows me will tell you that Christmas is absolutely my favorite time of year. I’ve always had a big holiday celebration at our home for family and friends. In the early days, folks used to come by and eat of course, and view my one beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Yes, it started out with one Christmas tree like "normal folks" have, but through the years my collection has now grown to a staggering forty themed Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes. That’s right… during the Christmas Season our entire home is transformed into a literal winter wonderland. We would always ask people who came to visit us during Christmas not to bring anything for us, but instead, bring a new toy for a child or a gift for a needy family. When people started giving so much that we were actually able to help three families at Christmas, the foundation was born. Larry came up with name "Christmas 365" because he told me that if I could, I’d give everyday of every year and he’s right. Last year "The Christmas 365 Foundation" helped ten families with many of the little necessities of life that quite honestly, many of us simply take for granted. Things like toiletries and soap, toothbrushes, toilet tissue, back packs and school supplies, shoes, birthday cakes, anniversary dinners, Mothers and Fathers Day recognition, etc. these are the kinds of things we strive to provide to our families… 365 days of every year.

We have a great board of directors that I would certainly like to acknowledge for their tireless spirits and dedication to the work and mission of "The Christmas 365 Foundation". They are in alphabetical order:

Jessica Cathcart

Irene Clark

William Clark

Sharon Cleaver

Nerlis Fernandez

Wendy & Jay Huelsman

Bre Joiner

Irene Kouros

Loretta Mattox

Barbara Miller

Jo Swain

Barbara Woods

Besides our own foundation, we support

The American Breast Cancer Foundation
[www.abcf.org] and The Christian Mentors Foundation [www.christianmentors.org]

People who are interested in coming to see our 40 Christmas trees can come to one of our Open House Events. The event dates this year are Saturdays and Sundays, November 27th and 28th, December 4th and 5th and December 11th and 12th from 2pm-7pm each day. Admission is a gift of any size for a needy family, a gift card or a new unwrapped toy. Community residents can contact us at: 951-218-1417. Private tours of the trees are also available for groups of 10 or more at $5/per person. Children under 13 free.

Or, they can log on to our website at:

www.thechristmas365foundation.org for more information.

Images provided by Gary Apodaca of Image Works Photography.