Posted by Margaret_FL on 12/18/06 12:16pm
Msg #166500

OT - Xmas is my favorite time of year

Xmas is my favorite time of the year. My husband and I for years have donated our time and money at Xmas for needy children. Over the years he has rented a Santa Suit and dressed up as Santa for a needy Xmas childrens party. He always takes off the last 2 weeks of the year. This year I suggested he buy a Santa Suit. We got one on Ebay and it did not come with a bag so he went to Walmart and bought the velvet material and rope and made one. He then bought hundreds of candy canes and filled the bag up. We went this morning to a Head Start school full of 4 year olds, with approximately 300 kids. I was Mrs. Clause and helped Santa. I had tears in my eyes the whole time and when we got back in the car my husband thanked me for suggesting we do this every year. We started doing this when I was a property manager for a government subsidized apartment complex with about 600 children. I saw first hand the poverty and I made sure the kids had a Xmas party with gifts every year. I got one company to donate $5,000 worth of new toys one year. That was after I called th TV station to tell them what I was doing and someone saw the news footage.

Reply by ck_KY on 12/18/06 12:30pm
Msg #166503

Way to go Margaret!..

That is what Christmas is all about. It melts my heart to think of children who will not get anything for Christmas. Each year, my husband and I try to do something for a less fortunate family. Usually, we choose a star from tree in a store and buy that child presents. This year, we knew of one specific child that went to school with my boys. His mother passed away in the spring and he lives alone with his father. His dad is a night watchman at a coal mines, and most nights this little boy has to go to work with his dad and sleep in the van because there is no one to watch him. The family barely scrapes by. We have been taking up donations for a couple of months for him and we went yesterday and bought him tons of toys and clothes. We also bought him a portable DVD player and some movies so he would have something to watch when he has to go to work with his dad. To me, giving this child a special Christmas was the best gift I could ever give myself. Imagine if everyone would take the time to brighten another's holiday. Sounds like you have done just that. A Merry Christmas and Wonderful, Prosperous New Year to you and your family Margaret!!

Reply by Margaret_FL on 12/18/06 12:43pm
Msg #166505

Re: Way to go Margaret!..

Thanks, we also knew of a family with 6 children that the father took a job out of state that pays
$35 an hour. He left and was not able to send any money home for 2 weeks. I told my husband that they had NO food in the house. My husband and I went to Walmart and we loaded up with two carts of food. She was overwhelmed when we showed up. I have a lot of military families in my area and they barely make it by. We have also done Christmas presents for the kids as what money dad will send home will be for rent and electric. We do not like to donate to charities because of the administrative costs take out of the donation. We want to make sure $100 percent
of what we donate goes to the family. I worked for the American Redcross and I quit after 6 weeks because what I saw there. The huge salaries were a crime and other activities would break your heart.

Reply by Mia on 12/18/06 5:18pm
Msg #166545

I've been trying to find a child that might like a dvd of "Ice Age The Meltdown".
I've called around to see if there might be a child that would like it but, haven't
had much luck. I've even tried the internet Santa sites. Guess I'll keep trying.

Reply by MelissaCT on 12/20/06 12:00pm
Msg #166918

Have you tried the local schools?

They mostly will know of needy families. They may not disclose the name or address, but if you speak with the office or Board of Ed, you could probably bring it to the office & they will distribute. Just a thought. You could also donate to your local library so many can enjoy it for free.

Reply by MelissaCT on 12/20/06 11:58am
Msg #166916

My son always

helps shop for toys for "his child". I pick a tag off our giving tree at church every year. He is so proud & tells everyone he's getting presents for "his child". I try to find one with interests similar to his (last year, Thomas the Train; this year, Wrestling).

BTW, RoseArt was WONDERFUL with donations. I coordinated a project one summer to provide activities for the kids at a battered women's shelter. The idea was to give the kids stuff to do while mom was in counselling session. RoseArt sent 3 HUGE boxes full!! Our group (Junior Women's Club) had so much donated that we were able to provide for not only that project, but also for back-to-school supplies and Christmas presents for needy families. It was really amazing.