In the fall of 2001, Rod Khleif found himself reflecting on the many blessings he had in his life, as the approaching holiday season grew closer. With the needs of his family met, Rod felt the desire to find a way to use his blessings and abundance to enrich the lives of others less fortunate in his community. Rod, with the help of his brother Ed used their time and resources to personally create and distribute five food baskets filled with traditional Thanksgiving fare, a complete holiday meal, treats and toys, with the hope that other families could experience love and celebration on that Thanksgiving Day. This experience inspired the brothers to double their efforts and donation the next year, in following years they enlisted friends and family to make a greater impact and thus the project grew and grew. Through this process The Tiny Hands Foundation's Holiday Basket Brigade was created. Over the past 17 years with the help of hundreds of community volunteers and supporters, The Tiny Hands Foundation now leads multiple annual charitable initiates that have benefited more than 110,000 Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto county community children and families in need.