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It's hard to believe that Christmas is almost here again. And I still don't have a tree. I told Ed this morning before he left for work that we had to do that tonight before there are no more trees. He grunted something. Last time I mentioned it, he teased me about it. "What do we need a tree for? We can do without." Uh huh. Try it, buddy.
We finally picked up those dolls from City Hall, and the clerks were all sorry to see them go. You'd think we took their children away.
The highlight of my week was that one of my neighbors organized a special giftgiving episode for us. She teaches at the middle school Becky graduated from, and is the sponsor for the student government there. Last month she had all her students turn in their Halloween candy. It was a fitness effort which their school won an award for. That was donated to us. She also put together a collection point for children to drop off gifts for preschoolers. George turned the candy over to a Girl Scout troop who wrapped the candy into nearly 300 individual candy bags. I took the candy and the toys to a preschool where the very poorest children in our community go.
At this point I should point out that I do a lot for this group. I enjoy it. But compared to George and her husband, and a number of others, I don't do much at all. If it weren't for George and the others, this group would never exist, nor would it be as successful as it is. I'm really proud to be part of it.
I still have food to collect, and some to bring up to the warehouse. We were just about wiped out last weekend. I also made connections with one of 2 charities that I normally pass left over food to. I make a point of trying to get extra each Christmas just so I can help keep them stocked through the dry months. I think I commented in another entry about a friend of mine, and how her church was closing. They have a pantry and she wanted us to take the food. I explained to her what will happen when Christmas is over and we have extra. She agreed that it would be easier to contact one of my charities and get them to take it rather than moving it from the church pantry, to our warehouse, and to the second charity. They're desperate for food now.
I also told the second charity about that scammer who contacted four or 5 charities for help. We compared notes and found her name, and the name she used when she contacted us, on their list as well. Not only was she going to get help under her own name, but also under a made up name. We also heard about a relative of hers whom we delivered to on Saturday. Between Saturday and yesterday, the relative took several expensive gifts back to the specialty store they were bought from, and exchange them for cash. That pissed me off. It's insult on top of injury. Someone took the time to show their love by purchasing these gifts and give it to a family the donor thought needed that love. And Mom possibly needed a fix. I can't say for sure that that was what the money was used for, it's just that I've seen it before. Drug addicts are blatant in their attempts to keep themselves juiced.
I want to say this in my annual thank. It is discouraging to be used in this manner. It is wrong. It is slimy. It happens maybe once in every 10 situations. Still, as discouraging as it is, we will continue our work. We will keep our radars up, and we will weed out those slimebags who try this. To turn our backs on the entire operation is to allow those 9 other really deserving families to do without because one slimebag can't do honestly for themselves.
If I don't get a chance to make another entry prior to Christmas, have a Merry one all, and please keep in mind those in need this Christmas season. Charities and pantries are very short this year and could use every extra box and can they can get their hands on.
jmorancoyle at 9:12:00 AM CST Blog about this entry |
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Glad you got the tree - it symbolizes the continuity of life, did u know? I researched the whole shebang and posted about it lol. Yea, I know about those ppl who pref cash to a gift, and they really should make that known before a well-meaning soul goes out and braves the crowds (and debt) to buy something special, something personal - more so than lucre. The only thing I can understand is the art of "regifting" since everybody's happy then lol. Have a Sweet Saturnalia, a Warm Winter Solstice, and Happy Birthday Jesus! CATHY
http://journals.aol.com/luddie343/DARETOTHINK/ -
Sorry such horrible things have to happen when you are involved in charity. How could people scam like that when you are so kind?
I don't have my tree up yet either. I just bought it. It is artificial, but nevertheless a tree. I need to put it up and decorate it, LOL. Can you believe Christmas is less than a week away?
Krissy :)
http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink
12/20/07 7:22 PM
Marti