To give is better than to receive

As I wrote up my Christmas list this year (yes, I still have to do that) I couldn’t help but be solemnly reminded of how lucky and fortunate I am that I’m asked to write up a list of things that I want from Santa/my parents. There are so many people, probably people you know, that don’t ever get the chance to ask for the things they want or need. My mom is a kindergarten teacher and she has students that ask for a blanket or a winter jacket, not toys. The essential in life that myself and plenty of others take for granted are the things that they desperately need and hope that Santa will bring for them. Year after year it rips my heart out thinking about what a crazy and unfair world we live in, but there are ways to make small differences…

For the past 5-7 years my mom works with the school social worker and chooses a family or 2 from her school for our family to provide a Christmas to, which they otherwise never would have had. The kids never know that it’s happening, but my mom will contact the mother and find out the details on what each of the children need, and are hoping for. We then go out and shop til we drop for them, wrap the gifts and wait for Christmas Eve to roll around to make the deliveries. After our family leaves on Christmas Eve my dad gets redressed in his Santa costume, my brother puts on an elf hat, we load the ‘sleigh’ with all of the gifts and hit the road.

My mom and I sit in the car far enough away for no one to notice, and anxiously await for the door to swing open. It is the most priceless thing to see the children’s faces light up when they realize Santa is standing on their front porch delivering presents to them. Every year it brings tears to my eyes to seeing the excitement and pure joy that the kids are filled with knowing that Santa really does exist. It’s worth every penny and more to have that experience year and year.

take it or leave it: There are other ways to give to people in need, and even those in need across the globe. Every year I make donations in my parents’ and brothers’ names to either Kiva.org or Worldvision.org. These 2 organizations are simply amazing. Kiva allows you to pay out loans to people trying to build their small businesses. The best part is that when they hit their funding goals they will repay you your loan and you can then loan that money out to another person trying to build their business. Simply amazing!
World Vision is also great! They have tons of amazing things you can do to help people in global crisis. For example, you can do is donate clean water to a village in Africa for $25, or donate 5 chickens to a family in Peru so they can help establish their business of selling eggs. You can even purchase cows and donate them to families. The list is endless. The best part about both of these organizations is that you’re helping others that need it most and without flying to Africa to feel like you’re making a difference. Something for everyone to ponder…