'Tis the season of want. 'Tis the season of wish lists. 'Tis the season of wrapping paper and bows and festivities. 'Tis the season of merriness and also loneliness. 'Tis the season of need. 'Tis the season of hunger. 'Tis the season of goodwill towards men. 'Tis the season of charity. 'Tis the season of hope.
This time of year never fails to bring out the absolute best in people. Even when the media forecasts economic doom, each holiday season I am amazed by others' charity.
I was raised by parents who greatly believed in charity. My mother is possibly the most generous person I know. It is from her I inherited a deep sense of charity. My heart swells with pride each time my own children take a box and load it with old toys and books they want to share with other children. They happily help me unload donations at Goodwill, graciously drop their coins into Salvation Army buckets, and carefully select items for food drives.
Three years ago, a fellow teacher and very good friend came came to myself and other teachers and told us that his church was sponsoring Angel Tree Ministries for the holiday season. He informed us that Angel Tree Ministries partner with churches across the nation to help children with parents in prison. For Christmas, his church was collecting donated gifts for such children in the city we teach in. Having volunteered at the Cook County Jail and also having countless students over the years with loved ones in prison, I immediately volunteered to help.
That night, I raided Target. With the help of my daughter, we selected gifts for pre-teens and teenagers, since there was a great need for that age range. The gifts we selected made me giddy. I imagined kids, so similar to many of my students, opening them and feeling the same. I couldn't wait to share my donations.
The next day, I casually mentioned what we'd done to one of my friends. He was moved enough to graciously match my donation! So, that night, I raided Target again and purchased several more gifts for pre-teens and teenagers. My dining room overflowed with colorful purses, fun games, scented lotions, funky hats and gloves, the latest best sellers, footballs, soccer balls, and makeup sets. Many children were going to have a brighter holiday.
The Angel Tree donations were delivered that weekend. Later, my friend shared pictures of the afternoon recipients received their gifts. Pictures of smiling parents selecting gifts for their children warmed my heart. I hoped that for just a moment the burdens those single mothers or grandparents felt because they were the sole providers and caregivers now, were lightened. Over the years, I'd helped many charities, but helping Angel Tree warmed a place in my heart that hadn't been warmed since the last night I'd tutored at the Cook County Jail.
It is now three years later, and this Christmas, my children are receiving a gift from Angel Tree Ministries.
Realizing there is now a huge gap in my story, let me explain the reason for this post.
When my ex-husband went to prison, we became one of two million households in which one parent is in prison. These households, these children, are affected daily by the fact that their parent is in prison. Many stressors come into play. Money, managing parental involvement from prison, visits to prison, uncertainty, and an overall healthy, balanced lifestyle are only some of the things the household must learn to manage and cope with. Dealing with these things during the course of the year is difficult enough, but the holidays bring into play a distinct sadness and reality. The reality is... my children do not have their father home with them to celebrate Christmas. It is as simple as that.
When my ex-husband first told me that he wanted to sign the children up for Angel Tree Ministries, I had mixed emotions. Never had I been on the receiving side of charity. I had never even considered that I might need to be on the receiving side of charity. I didn't want anyone to think I was looking for a hand out. All the negative remarks and comments I'd ever heard in my life about charity rang in my ears for a long time. But, he was persistent and adamant about doing this. He felt that this was his way of giving his children a gift from him, and only him, on Christmas morning. It is his way of reaching out to them and sharing, when the law says he can not.
So, I finally agreed. He provided all the information, as Angle Tree Ministries work directly with prisons. In the fall, a local church contacted me and told me the children would be receiving gifts from generous donations this Christmas.
It is with deepest sincerity I say, I was tremendously glad to hear that woman tell me that. A monetary burden was lifted right off my shoulders as she talked. A little bit of stress went away with it. When we were sent some paperwork, and the children could write out their wish lists "for Daddy", another bit of stress went away. I gazed at them happily writing down their favorite toys "Daddy was gonna get them."
It was then I decided it was perfectly okay to be on the receiving side of charity. If charity was going to maintain a connection between my children and their father and if was going to make them this delighted, wasn't that the best reason for it?
'Tis the season for charity and peace on Earth. If you could so find it in your kind heart to donate to charity this holiday season, you WILL be making someones holiday that much brighter. I know it.
Here are some of my favorite charities.
http://www.helpangeltree.org/index. Angel Tree Ministries
http://big-love.org/ Big Love Little Hearts is my dear friend's non-profit which helps children all over the world born with heart defects get the surgeries they need to survive. Locally, they are collecting donations for Toys for Tots.
http://www.sarahsinn.org/ Sarah's Inn helps women and children who are victims of domestic violence.
Lastly, I always donate to local food drives. In demand this year are personal care items and peanut butter.
Happy Holidays to all!!
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