By Heidi Clayton
2024 was a rough year at Four on the Floor Dog Training. Losing my dog, Sushi, in April was devastating and has left a huge hole in the family.
While grieving such a beautiful soul, I decided to rename the charity I started when I was an Atlantic City police officer, “The Sushi Foundation.” While the name has changed, the mission remains the same: to give Christmas and hope to kids who are truly in need of it.
For several years now, I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Toni Jordan, who manages the family unit of the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. Toni works tirelessly to find housing for the families. She stays in contact with them for years, making sure they are OK. Toni supplies me with the kids’ wish lists each year. The goal of The Sushi Foundation is to see to it that every single wish is met.
This year, I am overwhelmed with complete joy at how successful The Sushi Foundation was at fulfilling the Christmas wish list. Organizing, planning, and pulling off Christmas for 13 children took my mind off of anything negative. When I asked for help, the wonderful people I have met through my love for dogs stepped up and covered each and every gift, plus gift bags and gift cards for the parents. Before I knew it, loads of toys and clothes were ready to be delivered.
A grandmother who has suddenly found herself raising her one- and two-year-old grandchildren asked for diapers for Christmas. One of my clients responded, “That is not a Christmas gift.” The Sushi Foundation team got those kids presents for the holiday, not just basic necessities. The family of Harvey the Beagle made sure that a case of diapers was delivered too.
My favorite little Beagle, Harvey, made a guest appearance at the kids’ Christmas party, to the sheer delight of every single kid there. Good boy, Mr. Harvey!
My awesome team of Sergeant Kevin Law and Julie Lawler of the Atlantic City Police Department held the Christmas party for the kids. Julie gets the Moose Lodge of Atlantic City to donate the room. Kevin makes sure that all of the gifts and families get to the right place. He also ensures the star of the show, Santa, arrives in the SWAT tank to meet the kids.
Chief Sarkos probably hoped he was rid of me in 2019, but never hesitates to commit manpower to this party. With manpower being a constant problem in Atlantic City, I am very appreciative of him sending Officers Mark Pincus Jr. and David White out to help transport the gifts. Mark and David were a huge help to me. Sergeant Chris Miller arranged on short notice to have the Hamilton Township Police Department deliver gifts to one of the families that couldn’t make it to the party.
Thank you to Chief Ciambrone and Officer Liepe for ensuring a safe delivery. Thank you so much to Spanky & Sons Sub Shop, A-List Car Service, The Atlantic City Police Foundation, and Detective Jamie Moore for the food donations. The kids ate well, thanks to all of you.
The kids at the party not only get to interact with police officers and meet new people, but they also get to see that there are still good people left in the world. One little boy who never thought his family would be able to afford a hoverboard is going to be ecstatic on Christmas morning. The fact that The Sushi Foundation can give that joy to him warms my heart.
Sushi was pure joy in the form of a dog. I want to remember her for that and do what I can, no matter how small, to spread that joy to those in need.
To everyone who donated money and gifts and shared in my vision of this event, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Heidi, IchiBan, Fuji, Miki, and Kabuki of Four on the Floor Dog Training!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net.
Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, reward-based dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net or learn more at https://fouronthefloordogtraining.net
