Recently I was complaining about the fact that I have to help my daughter do community service as part of her grade for school.
I was wrong.
Last night Jane was on the phone with her friend, and he wanted her to join him and his family at The First X-ian Church where they would be handing out toys to children whose families couldn’t afford them.
I wasn’t sure what to expect, and I wasn’t excited about about waking up at 6.30 on a Saturday Morning, but Jane was insistent. The four of us bundled up, and went to the donut shop. I bought nine dozen donut holes and another dozen donuts. We arrived at the Church and saw a sea of umbrellas.
The kids went up a rear stairwell, and entered the room where the gifts were being given. As children arrived they would say their age, and then a toy ticket was issued, the kids would go to Santa and he would give them an age/gender appropriate toy. Some kids left with play dough, one lucky girl left with a bicycle.
Mr. G walked up and down the line handing out donuts to kids who asked, “Are they free?”
I took this video, and started to narrate it, but when I tried to say that these would be the only gifts that children in my community would get this year I choked up a little. So I didn’t narrate much, or well. I was busy trying to not cry in public.
I’m basically a selfish person, most of us are, and I give begrudgingly, but I give. This time it was because my daughter asked me to.
*If you sent me children’s toys this year this is where they ended up. I know it’s not the best PR in the world, but it’s a good thing, so thanks for having sent them.
Thank you so much for this post Jessica. It really hits home to see all those people waiting in such a long line in rain to be able to give their children something for Christmas. I teach my children to give… we’ve donated of course… but it seems so anonymous until you can put a face on it like you have. I love that this started as a school project but ended up a joyous lesson in giving for everyone.
Oh, that is so touching.
I grew up fairly impoverished…So, I think my heart has hardened a little to things like this. My mom fed 7 people on 20 dollars a month. Our Christmas presents were stockings filled with nuts & oranges (the nuts always came in the food pantry items near the holidays…she would get the oranges from the backyards of friends & neighbors). She might also browse Goodwill for stuffed animals & action figures…we were young, we didn’t care or know the difference. We did get sponsored one year by a church…we got new clothes & shoes that year. :) I hope the people that received gifts were grateful…and remember one day when they are no longer in need to pay back some of the kindnesses they have been given.
I don’t know if you’ve ever seen this Maegan – but it really hit home for some of my friends…
http://whatever.scalzi.com/2005/09/03/being-poor/
It’s amazing how great your mom was at making it by. I have great respect for her.
Thank you.
You and Jane and every single person who participated in that event rock.
There are no words that really convey it.
A little teary & choked up here myself. Wondering what opportunity to give back I’m missing myself. I think I’ll look around a little harder.