UPDATE!

[Christopher Lyle]

Hey Everyone...

As many of you know, about 3 weeks ago, I posted a message asking for help to provide a deserving young Magician with a Christmas this year. The response I received from the Magic Community was nothing short of increadible!!!!

In just a 3 week time frame, I received donations (both cash donations and gently used Magic, Books, DVDs, etc.) from 57 people from the USA and around the globe.

This past Sunday, December 20th, was the day I got to play Santa Clause. Cody and his mother met me up at Crystals to watch what they thought was my final show of the year. When they arrived, they both got much more!!!!

I was able to get everything captured on film so that I could share with everyone who participated. His mother has given me permission to post this on You Tube for everyone to enjoy. The below video runs about 8 mintues:

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheMagicofC ... 6NWrlUqJPc

Between myself and the 57 others who participated, $487.00 CASH was raised. That money was used to purchase Cody clothing. Everything from Casual Wear to Dress Wear, new tennis shoes, a nice pair of dress shoes, belts, white socks, dress socks, and a new suit! Cody now has a complete new wardrobe.

In addition, gift subscriptions of both Magic Magazine and The Magic Menu were also donated for Cody.

And as if all of this wasn't enough, Cody received between $1500 - $2000 worth of gently used magic from Magi all around the globe! I took great care in keeping a list of everything that he received. Below is all that was donated:

Just over 100 NEW Decks of Standard Playing Cards (Bikes, Tally's, Stud Decks, etc)
Fade in Deck - Kuniyasu Fujiwara
Cups and Ball Set
Locked Deck
Presto Printo - Daryl
Cardboard Chamelon's - Daryl
Cap in Bottle - Daryl
Escheresque JUMBO - Daryl
Masuda's Two Card Mystery
Masuda's WOW!
Michael Ammar Coin Clip
Diminishing Returns - Mike Powers
Spoon Bend - Barry Price
Web - John Kennedy
Jumpy Card from Matchbox - Barry Price
Close Up Ring & Rope - El Duco
Pom Pom Pole
Color Changing Wand
Svengali Deck
Color Changing Streamer
Star of the Show - David Ginn
Top Hat
Michael Baker Lecture Notes
The Famouse 5 Card Trick - Michael Baker
Cash Paddle - Michael Baker
The Last Adventures of Diamond Jack - Michael Baker
Anniversary Waltz
Jumbo 3 Card Monte'
Win the Crowd - Steve Cohen
Egg Bag
Reel Magic - January 08' - Sankey
The Band Shark DVD - Dan Harlan
The Kids Birthday Party Show DVD - Dan Harlan
Sal Piacente DVD - Street Monte' 3 Shell Game
Street Magic Magazine - October/November 07' - March/April 07' - June/July 07'
Coin Vanish by Dan Watkins Vol. 1
Gaeton Bloom Lecture Notes
Miracle Signed Bill in Borrowed Cigar - Robert Olsons
The Pheonix - 51 - 100
The Secrets of Brother John Hamman - Richard Kaufman
Coin Magic - Richard Kaufman
Jennings 67' - Richard Kaufman
Mastering the Art of Magic (Eugene Burger) - Richard Kaufman
Flatland Fever - Tom Stone
Genii Presents - Jim Steinmeyer DVD - Palingenesia
Fantasma Magic - John Ramsay DVD
Franz Harary DVD - Wonder by Design
3 Collected Words of Jerry Hartman
Two Second Deals
Borrowed Bill Routine - John Cornelious
Mystification - Richard Bartram Jr.
Linking Ring - Vol 51. No. 1, May 71'
Linking Ring - Vol. 51 No. 5, Jan 71'
Feel a Color - Bob King
Drunken Black Jack - Bob King
Entourage
Tasty Twister
Rainbow Twist
All the Same
Chamelon Cards
Enigma Card - Bob Solari
Flip Flop Cards
Wild Card
Printing on Demand - David Solomon
Quarter Warp - Bob Solari
Four Flusher - David Solomon
Domesticated Wild Card - Bob King
Dough - Jay Sankey
Quick Note Transportation
Salt Pour
Hot Rod
Haunted Matchbook
Ball Vase
3 Shell Game - Vernet
Color Deviation Rods
Several 24" Silks and other assorted sizes and colors
Okito Box
Boston Box
Phantoma
Reputation Makers - Harry Lorayne
Steve Dushek Magic Series No. 1
Card College #1
About a millon yards of Invisible Thread
Shamrock Cup
An Assortment of Trick Decks of Cards (Invisible, Brainwave, etc.)
The Mummy Mystery
Several Close Up Mats
Fadeaway Case - Tenyo
Multiplying Golf Balls
Chop Cup Set
Several Magic Wands (Plastic, Wood, Metal)
Magicians Magic by Paul Curry
Spooky Tricks
101 Best Magic Tricks by Guy Fredrick
The Real Book About Magic - Joseph Leeming
Merlins Catalog of Magic
Magic Digest - Fun Magic for Everyone - George B. Anderson
Dunningers Complete Encyclopedia of Magic
Silk Caddy
Square Circle
Bunny Box
Jeff McBride Lecture Notes
The Trilogy - Dan and Dave Buck
Daryl - Ency. of Card Vol. 1-8
Art of Card Manipulation - Jeff McBride Vol. 1-3
McBride on Stage Vol. 1-3
Easy to Master Card Miracles - The Complete Set - Michael Ammar
Easy to Master Thread Miracles - The Complete Set - Michael Ammar
The Worlds Greatest Magic Chop Cup
Joshua Jay - Talk About Tricks
Joshua Jay - Close Up Up Close Complete Set
Bill Malone - On the Loose - The Complete Set
Bill Malone - Here I Go Again - The Complete Set
Michael Finney - The Complete Set

But wait...there's more!

The Owner of Crystals provided Cody and his mother a free pass to come in at eat for free for the rest of their lives or for the life of the restaurant...whichever comes first. He also gave Cody a brand new twin bed (headboard, footboard, and matress).

This whole thing was a last ditch effort to try and provide a Merry Christmas to this young man and the reponse I received was completely overwhelming. Thank you all so very much for your assistance...I couldn't have pulled this off without your help.

To the very few who slammed me and accused me of trying to scam you and the rest of the Magic Community, I hope that you can now see that my intentions were 101% completely sincere.

This was just one kid out of the millons who go without every year. It impossible to help them all, but I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for helping me to help one.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Christopher

[Seuss]

way to go Chris. great to see it was a success!

happy holidays!

[Richard Kaufman]

Good job, Christopher.

[Christopher Lyle]

He LOVED the books Richard! Thanks so much for the donation!

[Roger M.]

.....karma owes you big time Christopher!

[flynn]

Wow! Good job Mr. Lyle. Talk about a start up set. Thats very generous and caring for all that gave and hope that all who participated have a good Christmas.

[Magic Randy]

Glad it worked out Christopher. Certainly enough variety to keep him busy for a long time.

And thanks for the video of the event.

[Christopher Lyle]

Thanks Steve for your kind words. I have sent Brandon a plea to post a request to Richard in the thread (since Richard doesn't accept PMs) to have his statment removed.

I took quite a bashing from a few when I posted the original request b/c some naysayers thought I was trying to scam the magic world by trying to get money for myself.

I thought after posting the video, not only would that allow others to share in the joy, but also show those who thought poorly on my efforts that I was indeed being very sincere.

Then to have Brandon's Statements throw a knife the thread like he did really does sadden me to a great extent!

Richard...if Brandon does contact you, I hope you will also clean out the thread (including this one) so there was never any sign of hatred.

Merry Christmas to all...

Christopher

[Paul Gordon]

I got a quick reply (a thank you) from Cody for the book (Card Marvels) I sent him direct. What with my book and all the above, he's going to be a very busy lad. I wish him well.

Paul Gordon

PS - I just watched the video. Wow, he's going to be very, very, busy! It's nice to know the magic fraternity "rallies" at times like these. Nice one, Chris...and all the givers!

[Christopher Lyle]

Paul,

I just realized that I never placed your Book on THE LIST of what he got since you sent it to him directly. I am very sorry for that!

If you watch the video, you will see him showing Aaron (my camera guy) your book.

Sorry for that error...he LOVES your book! Thanks for donating it to him...

Christopher

[Paul Gordon]

Hi Chris, that's okay. Yes, I saw him clutching it. Hope all is well and Happy Christmas! PG

[Tom Gilbert]

Incredible job Christopher, except I have that donkey song stuck in my head........

Tom