An Anonymous Double Holiday Gift

--by rlincoln, posted Feb 28, 2011

I spent the evening last night shopping for presents: not for my boyfriend or for me, not for our families or friends, but for a family that we selected to "sponsor" through our holiday angel program at work. Usually I sponsor just one person, but this year I had the opportunity through our women's network to select a family headed up by a young single mother in my greater community.

It was hard balancing what they were asking for versus what I wanted to get them. For example, the nine-year-old was asking for a specific doll, and I wanted to get her warm clothes and mittens. I debated about it for a long time, and decided that I needed to just get both: toys for her to smile about, and warm clothes for her mother to smile about.

This is an anonymous giving program, but I feel like I know the family so well just because they have been engrained in my thoughts and prayers as I send them this package of gifts. The funny thing is, with everyone's budgets stretched tight this year, I decided to cut back on gifts to my family and expand my charitable giving instead. My family is blessed to be together and in a warm and loving household, and that is the best present there is.

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Posted by rlincoln
Feb 28, 2011
Comments (8)

Readers Comments

etseth wrote: Well done you!!
I do a similar thing here in britain (wales) called Mr X....It's something so rewarding and meaningful you can't quite explain.
You wont be there to see them when they open up the prezzies,but that is why it's so good good! there is no ego involved,you know that you have done something fantastic for someone who truely truely deserves it.
Keep up the wonderful work..
Anyone else that is thinking of doing this- STOP THINKING AND DO IT!!!!
LOVE N LIGHT.XX

MakeSomeoneSmile wrote: Any time you take the time to care, it matters. Bless you for caring and sharing! :)

coffeebug wrote: That little family is lucky to have you. You are truely their angel this year. :)

hosios wrote: That is a great program, i will try to see if we have something like that. Great work, I wish you all a Happy Holiday for all your good work.:)

unknown wrote: I guess when you have a gift and being a gift to your family, then I think you are right of being charitable to others who probably are less fortunate ... God bless. Deepula.

JuneBug wrote: You are sure blessings alot of people this year !! Thank you for blessing us here at HO with this post to encourage us to help others...:)

bookworm58 wrote: Your a special angel this year. Its wonderful to help others at Christmas but other times of the year too. I am helping get small gifts for our giving tree at my church. It is a big help to others.

thebigkind wrote: Wow, such a cool idea. It has given me the inspiration to start a similiar thing in my town. I've started jotting down a plan right away. Thanks!

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