Tuesday, December 19, 2006
The Christmas Store
If you're like me, you've been moved by the Secret Santa stories done by Channel 9 reporter Bev Chapman and videographer Tim Twyman over the past few weeks. No matter how many times I've seen it, no matter how old the footage is, I always get a lump in my throat when I see the expression on people's faces when Larry Stewart hands them a hundred dollar bill. Some laugh. Some cry. Others thank him profusely. Stewart has impacted so many lives with his random generosity. It's part of the Christmas season that sometimes gets lost in all of the hustle and bustle.
I was reminded of the real meaning of the holidays last week as I visited something called the Christmas Store in Independence. The Community Services League has been operating the store for decades and it's touched thousands of families' lives over the years. The concept is simple: needy people come to the store and get to pick out presents for every member of their family, adults and kids. It's all free and all donated. They also get food for a Christmas meal. This program is so successful because it allows parents to pick out items they think their loved ones will like, rather than being given a bag of things selected by somebody else.
I talked to one mother as she picked out gifts for her family. Both she and her husband are on disability, she had brain surgery this year and they have five children ranging in age from 16 years to 12 months. It had been a tough year for her family. She told me, "There wouldn't be anything under the tree if it wasn't for them." She was smiling as she picked out special things for each of her children and her husband.
I saw a lot of smiles at the Christmas store that day. Quite honestly, I saw more smiles than I usually see at the packed malls this time of year. It reminded me to keep everything in perspective this holiday season. As the thankful mother told me before she left with her bag of holiday cheer from the Christmas Store, "It's the magic of Christmas. It's a miracle." It's giving and generosity that truly keep Christmas magic alive.
I was reminded of the real meaning of the holidays last week as I visited something called the Christmas Store in Independence. The Community Services League has been operating the store for decades and it's touched thousands of families' lives over the years. The concept is simple: needy people come to the store and get to pick out presents for every member of their family, adults and kids. It's all free and all donated. They also get food for a Christmas meal. This program is so successful because it allows parents to pick out items they think their loved ones will like, rather than being given a bag of things selected by somebody else.
I talked to one mother as she picked out gifts for her family. Both she and her husband are on disability, she had brain surgery this year and they have five children ranging in age from 16 years to 12 months. It had been a tough year for her family. She told me, "There wouldn't be anything under the tree if it wasn't for them." She was smiling as she picked out special things for each of her children and her husband.
I saw a lot of smiles at the Christmas store that day. Quite honestly, I saw more smiles than I usually see at the packed malls this time of year. It reminded me to keep everything in perspective this holiday season. As the thankful mother told me before she left with her bag of holiday cheer from the Christmas Store, "It's the magic of Christmas. It's a miracle." It's giving and generosity that truly keep Christmas magic alive.
Posted at 6:25 AM
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