I had the pleasure of meeting Carla right after the book came out in 2005. She was living in a small
one-room cabin, wheel-chair bound and in poor health. She was delighted to have been the inspiration
for my book and we donated money from book sales to her, to improve her circumstances. Carla and I
spoke regularly over the next several months, then sadly, she suffered a fatal heart attack and passed
away in May, 2006. Her portion of the book's proceeds will now go to the Presbyterian Night Shelter
in her name.
In 2005, we also gifted the Chisholm Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross and will soon deliver a
check  as part of the 2005 sales to The Big Texas Toy Run. This year, we will add the Union Gospel
Mission and the Tarrant County Food Bank to our list of recipients.


BOOKS THAT DO MORE. . .
A Message From the Author
"The Homeless Christmas Tree" was inspired by a lady named
Carla Christian. Carla was poor, but had a kind and caring heart.
She lived part of her life as a homeless person, seeking shelter at
the Presbyterian Night Shelter in Fort Worth, Texas. She stayed
on at the shelter after she got on her feet and worked with the
homeless population for many years, until her health deteriorated to
the point she could no longer work.