#15
My husband and I try to do something every year for someone in need. Two years ago we slipped 300 dollars into a waitress's book who happened to be a single mother of two and was waitressing as a second job. Last year we found a family that wasn't going to see the magic of Santa that year and we bought Christmas for them. Their babysitter set it all up and snuck us in with an extra key she had so we could drop all of the presents under the tree. The mother worked late, so what a surprise she had when she came home.
This year was a little more of a struggle. We asked around for families and we don't particularly like the angel trees. We felt like we weren't going to find a family this year... until we got a phone call. It was my sister-in-law. She proceeded to tell us a story about a wonderful lady that was a single mother and was losing her home. She and her family were packing their things and getting ready to move into a motel. On top of that, she didn't have the money for the Christmas presents that she had on layaway and her kids were going to just have to go without this year.
Without a second thought, my husband drove down and paid all of the layaway except for a penny. We had a lot of fun with a prank caller id app on our phone and called the lady from the "store" where her items were being held! Unfortunately, we had to leave a message after calling a few times. But it went a little something like this:
"Hi this message is for (anonymous). This is (anonymous) giving you a courtesy call to let you know that the items you have on layaway are ready to be picked up. It looks like there is a remaining balance of one cent on that account, so as soon as that is taken care of then you can pick your items up!" I wish I could be there when she listens to that message, or better yet, when she hands them a penny and walks away with her things!
My little six year old sat in the mirror and stared at her long, blonde hair. She couldn't bare the thought of having it cut off. Afterall, she had only 3 haircuts in her young life. Her hair was so long that the tips fell below her cute little bum.
"So what do they do with the hair, mom?" She asked this question after we came across the "Locks of Love" website. I explained to her that they take the hair and make them into wigs, so that the sick children can have hair because their medication makes theirs fall out. I then told her "honey, you don't have to cut your hair if you don't want to." You could tell she was deep in thought about it. To tell you the truth, I was more afraid of her hair being cut off so we ended the conversation.
A few weeks went by without even mentioning it. Then one night she came up to me and said "mom, when are we going to get my hair cut? I really want someone to have my hair." Tears filled up in my eyes. You could tell this little child had thought long and hard about this.
I set up the appointment for two days from then. She was excited and I was so nervous. Her long hair we'd grown for so long was going to be... gone.
She sat up in the pink car at Cookie Cutters and Weston parted her hair into braids. The first 11 inch braid was cut off, then the second. Tears welled in my eyes. Not because I was sad to see it go, but because at such a young age, my daughter was able to think of more than just herself. She didn't know who would get this hair... she just knew someone needed it.
#17
Trying to do as many things we can to help others, my husband and I wanted to go out of our usual, "playing Santa" or giving money.
We came across the Meals on Wheels site on Facebook that my aunt volunteers for. She gave us some info and described to us how sad it is that this time of year, its so easy to forget about our seniors that are in just as much need as our children.
We called over to see what items needed to be donated. They really needed oil filled heaters. They were the safest and so many seniors were going without heat in their homes. When asked how many they needed "four, but donate what you can." Score. We had one already in our basement, we just needed three more.
My husband drove to the nearest Walmart and picked up three more heaters. When he took them over, the lady in the front stood in bewilderment. She thanked him over and over, kissed him, hugged him. She was so excited.
That's not the best part...
On Christmas day we visited my dad for dinner. My aunt, who volunteers for Meals on Wheels was there. My husband asked, "so did you ever hear what happened with those heaters?" She had no idea we donated them. "How did you know about that?" She asked... my husband and I smiled. Tears filled her eyes. So much so that she could barely speak.
She began to tell us a story of a lady who limited herself to one room in the house, bundled in a blanket. She couldn't afford to heat her home and it was always bitter cold. When the volunteer visited her house with the heater, the lady fell to her knees and kissed his feet. "Thank you, thank you" she said over and over.
We called again this year and they need: heaters. You'd better believe we're all over that again. :)
Thanks Jenn for your 3 stories!!! I love each and everyone of them! Year after year!!! Very special ideas and ways to serve! Its one thing to give gifts at Christmas time but another to actually put some thought, time, and effort into it! Very special THANKS to you and your family!!!!
