Merry Christmas from Oregon!
At my workplace, for years we had adopted families through
First Place Family Center, which is
through St. Vincent de Paul.
There are many local families that are in need, they
may have finally gone from homeless to
their first apartment,
but these families needed so many things.
We would get a list of "needs" and "wants"
and try to fill all of their requests.
This year, my co-workers were not wanting to do this.
They agreed to make bags to hand out to the needy.
Items inside included cold weather gear
(gloves, sock, hats, scarves)
along with quick foodstuff.
Something that people could eat right away.
Peanut Butter, chocolate,
tuna (you get the picture).
I had discussed this with them for a couple of months
just so that they could get going on it.
Time went by and nothing.
Some coats were brought in.
That helped.
But nothing else.
Prodding people gets us nowhere.
I was upset.
I felt as if people were being very selfish.
Mistake.
Suddenly, last week, our co-worker lost her sister.
She had 2 children. Her daughter's father was in a bad
accident in August and had been in a coma for months.
He may never recover.
My co-worker is trying to get custody
and she already has 2 of her own children and
does not make much money to support 6 people.
But this brought out the good in everyone else.
The support has been amazing.
I am very impressed and happy with how giving everyone is.
My heart is full by this.
There was an ad on Craigslist about a free Christmas Tree.
This family had a son - what he wanted for Christmas was
to give a tree to someone that could not afford one.
Again - heartwarming!
So, thanks to all out there that give of yourselves.
Giving is the best way to live.
Donate, volunteer, whatever it takes!
Merry Christmas to all!!!
