The Heart of Christmas (DVD review and giveaway)

The Heart of Christmas

• Actors: Candace Cameron Bure, Jeanne Neilson, Erin Bethea, Anita Renfroe, Matthew West
• Directors: Gary Wheeler
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT
• DVD Release Date: October 16, 2012
• Run Time: 89 minutes

Based on a true story of hope and compassion, THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS will touch your heart and bring home the spirit of the holidays. Austin and Julie Locke are devastated when they learn that their young son, Dax, has been diagnosed with cancer. But with courage, determination and faith, they decide to give Dax a one last Christmas, even if it has to be in October. When the community sees the holiday decorations and learns the heartbreaking truth, what happens next is a miraculous outpouring of caring and support. Starring Candace Cameron Bure (Make It or Break It), Jeanne Neilson (Faith Like Potatoes), George Newbern (Father of the Bride), Erin Bethea (Fireproof) and Matthew West (Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter), THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS is the greatest gift of all.

My take:  Prior to receiving a request to review this movie, I had never heard of Dax Locke and his battle with leukemia.  I had no idea that this movie was about a toddler, who, along with his parents, touched more lives in his short two years than I ever have in forty-one.  I had heard of Candace Cameron Bure (DJ Tanner on Full House), George Newbern (Bryan MacKenzie in Father of the Bride) and Matthew West (one of my all time favorite singers), which is why I wanted to see the movie.  But I never expected to be so affected by this simple, yet profound story.  The luminescent Jeanne Neilson shines in her role as Dax's mom Julie Locke.  Ms. Cameron Bure is excellent in her role as a busy mom who is made to see how upside down her life priorities have become, after she becomes involved in Dax's story.  All of the children portrayed as patients at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital will both break and warm your heart.  I cried so many times in viewing this movie, I lost count.  Don't let that scare you off from watching this very important movie however.  Watch this movie, now at Christmas time, and anytime during the year when you need a reminder of what is important in life (and it's not the laundry, the bills or even Facebook).  Then go check out The Dax Locke Foundation to see how you can help other kids like Dax.  Remember:  CHERISH EVERY MOMENT! with your own family.  (You can keep up with Julie's story on Caring Bridge)

How the movie came to be:  Despite their sadness, Julie and Austin knew that Dax's story, which had touched so many people, could be used to bring awareness to childhood cancer and the work of St. Jude and started a foundation called “Cherish Every Moment” the Dax Locke Foundation. The foundation's purpose is to raise $1.6 million dollars to run St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for one day in honor of Dax! They began chipping away at this goal by running fundraisers and spreading the word. Singer and songwriter,Matthew West reached out to help after hearing Dax's story.  He wrote a song called One Last Christmas and the song went viral!   Matthew donated all the money he made from the song to to the Dax Locke foundation!   A producer heard the song, decided it would make a charming Christmas movie (One Last Christmas) telling how the neighborhood came together for Dax and put up their Christmas lights and filming began. The movie was aired December 4th, 2011 on GMC network and broke every record the network had ever set.  Dax's story has moved the world. To this date over $580,000 has been raised to help Austin and Julie Locke meet their goal for their sweet boy, Dax.  

"ONE LAST CHRISTMAS" by Matthew West

The giveaway:  WIN IT!  One lucky winner will win his/her very own copy of "The Heart of Christmas" and a Bible Study Guide.  {US ADDRESSES ONLY PLEASE because I'm the one paying the postage this time}

To win: Simply leave a comment telling me who you cherish every day.  Be sure to leave your email address with your comment if you are not a blogger or your email is not easily found on your blog. This giveaway is open until 11:59 p.m., EST, Tuesday, December 4, 2012 (the 13th anniversary of the death of my late husband). Good Luck!

Bonus entries: Get up to 12 extra entries for a total of 13 entries (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):  

1• Blog about this giveaway (don't forget to leave the link in your comment)

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This review was sponsored by Allied-THA and Slingshot Pictures who provided me the DVDs for review and giveaway.  I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary DVD.  My opinion is my own.