It is getting to that time of the year. While I love Christmas time, it in other ways breaks my heart. For most, Christmas is a magical time of the year. The time where you see beautiful lights and decorate a tree. The time where you get to spend time with your family and eat great food. For most, it is a time of the year where your cares seem far away and you look forward to a new year. Because you have something to look forward to.
Me, being the overly sensitive person I am, has moments during this time of the year where I just cry. Why? Because there are little ones out there who do not have this experience. For whatever reason Christmas is not a time of joy and love for them. It is not magical. And it hurts me inside.
So consider this my plea. If you are looking for a way to do something. Or if you have a few extra dollars you can spare. I have some suggestions. Be forewarned, some are religious. Only in that the organizations for which these projects are through are religious. If you have an issue with that, I will add a few other ways that I know of to help this Holiday Season.
The first one is coming up soon. It is Operation Christmas Child. It is sponsored by Samaritan's Purse which is run by Franklin Graham, as in Billy Graham's son. What you do is this: take a shoe box and fill it with stuff for a child. All the info is provided in the link above. Instructions, ideas, and all of that. You also have to include $7 to cover shipping costs. You can donate more if you like. You pick boy or girl and the age range and then you go shopping to fill your shoe box. I think I will let Emma do this.
The second one is easier. Family Christian Stores sells Barnabas Bear. You can adopt one bear for $5 and they will donate it to an orphan. (Can you hear my heart breaking now? Yesterday I got info on both of these things and sat crying at my computer....) Or you can buy one for yourself for $9.99 and the profits will go the the James Fund. But yes that means you have to go into the Christian Store. Or you can do it online.
Now, since both of these things are religious based and I know not all people are fond of that, I will add some other suggestions of ways to do something this Holiday Season.
The Marines do Toys for Tots. While you are out doing your Christmas shopping, simply pick up an extra toy. I know Toys 'R Us usually has drop off bins as Christmas time approaches. I know in years past we have had radio stations here do drives to get all the toys needed. And if you go to one of the drives, they have hot drinks and hot Marines all over. Extra bonus. Super cool thing to do and then you know a child will have something to open Christmas morning. No religious ties there. Just Marines. (And surely you have no issue with Marines....)
Okay I was going to suggest the Angel Tree from Salvation Army. I, however, learned that they are a Christian organization. But they usually have the tress at various malls and such and then you can "adopt" a child to shop for. We have had a lot of fun doing this in the past. You can pick your child and then go shop.
Lastly, check in your local area. Most will have a food drive to help and/or a coat drive. There may be a shelter (or more than one) that you can donate too. Here in KC two places I can think of are the Hope House, which takes care of battered women and children, or the City Union Mission (which is also Christian), which takes care of the homeless. A lot of places need extra food items during the holidays. Both of these places have ways to donate online as well. Look in your area and find a place. A shelter or a food pantry.
I know we should give all year long and not just at the Holiday Season. I encourage everyone to give what they can, when they can. You can go to a Dollar Store type place that sells food and get three or four bags of groceries for less than $20. Or an Aldi. You can shop at Target or Wal-Mart and find toys for $5 or less. (I suggest Target....who also has the Target House, a place for families to stay free of charge while their children are undergoing treatment at St. Judes, and a Wish List for items needed.) I do love me some Target. Give some money when you are out for the things where you can put a name on the paper thing and they hang them. Drop a dollar in the Salvation Army red bucket or in the Fireman's Boot. (Which reminds me, I am going to have to get some cash to keep with me now...) Find something that means something to you. Kids always pull my heart strings. Be it orphans, homeless kids or ones who are in a shelter because their mom was being abused. Kids are the ones for me who need the magic. And as a parent, I know that when your kids get to see the magic, you do too. And while you are struggling with whatever it may be, seeing the light in your child's eyes, puts light in your eyes too.
This Holiday Season, find a way to give. Whatever it may be. And I promise you, that you too will see a little magic.
Me, being the overly sensitive person I am, has moments during this time of the year where I just cry. Why? Because there are little ones out there who do not have this experience. For whatever reason Christmas is not a time of joy and love for them. It is not magical. And it hurts me inside.
So consider this my plea. If you are looking for a way to do something. Or if you have a few extra dollars you can spare. I have some suggestions. Be forewarned, some are religious. Only in that the organizations for which these projects are through are religious. If you have an issue with that, I will add a few other ways that I know of to help this Holiday Season.
The first one is coming up soon. It is Operation Christmas Child. It is sponsored by Samaritan's Purse which is run by Franklin Graham, as in Billy Graham's son. What you do is this: take a shoe box and fill it with stuff for a child. All the info is provided in the link above. Instructions, ideas, and all of that. You also have to include $7 to cover shipping costs. You can donate more if you like. You pick boy or girl and the age range and then you go shopping to fill your shoe box. I think I will let Emma do this.
The second one is easier. Family Christian Stores sells Barnabas Bear. You can adopt one bear for $5 and they will donate it to an orphan. (Can you hear my heart breaking now? Yesterday I got info on both of these things and sat crying at my computer....) Or you can buy one for yourself for $9.99 and the profits will go the the James Fund. But yes that means you have to go into the Christian Store. Or you can do it online.
Now, since both of these things are religious based and I know not all people are fond of that, I will add some other suggestions of ways to do something this Holiday Season.
The Marines do Toys for Tots. While you are out doing your Christmas shopping, simply pick up an extra toy. I know Toys 'R Us usually has drop off bins as Christmas time approaches. I know in years past we have had radio stations here do drives to get all the toys needed. And if you go to one of the drives, they have hot drinks and hot Marines all over. Extra bonus. Super cool thing to do and then you know a child will have something to open Christmas morning. No religious ties there. Just Marines. (And surely you have no issue with Marines....)
Okay I was going to suggest the Angel Tree from Salvation Army. I, however, learned that they are a Christian organization. But they usually have the tress at various malls and such and then you can "adopt" a child to shop for. We have had a lot of fun doing this in the past. You can pick your child and then go shop.
Lastly, check in your local area. Most will have a food drive to help and/or a coat drive. There may be a shelter (or more than one) that you can donate too. Here in KC two places I can think of are the Hope House, which takes care of battered women and children, or the City Union Mission (which is also Christian), which takes care of the homeless. A lot of places need extra food items during the holidays. Both of these places have ways to donate online as well. Look in your area and find a place. A shelter or a food pantry.
I know we should give all year long and not just at the Holiday Season. I encourage everyone to give what they can, when they can. You can go to a Dollar Store type place that sells food and get three or four bags of groceries for less than $20. Or an Aldi. You can shop at Target or Wal-Mart and find toys for $5 or less. (I suggest Target....who also has the Target House, a place for families to stay free of charge while their children are undergoing treatment at St. Judes, and a Wish List for items needed.) I do love me some Target. Give some money when you are out for the things where you can put a name on the paper thing and they hang them. Drop a dollar in the Salvation Army red bucket or in the Fireman's Boot. (Which reminds me, I am going to have to get some cash to keep with me now...) Find something that means something to you. Kids always pull my heart strings. Be it orphans, homeless kids or ones who are in a shelter because their mom was being abused. Kids are the ones for me who need the magic. And as a parent, I know that when your kids get to see the magic, you do too. And while you are struggling with whatever it may be, seeing the light in your child's eyes, puts light in your eyes too.
This Holiday Season, find a way to give. Whatever it may be. And I promise you, that you too will see a little magic.
Comments
Good additions Kiki.
My husband's company has a angel tree. Last year we seleccted two preteens and a baby boy. I'm not normally a shopper, but this was so much fun!
Both my husband and I grew up very poor, so I think being able to give back now is extra-sweet.
Thanks for the links!
Everyone celebrates in their own way. And I think you have a unique view of this time of the year because of how you grew up. I think it is awesome that you are able and willing to give back now. Warmed my heart today....(not that I am suprised..."knowing" you and all, this does not come as any sort of shock at all. I know you have a big heart.)