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Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Spreading The Christmas Spirit - Part II cont'd

Last week I did a post on what I do with the gift card that we receive each Christmas from my step daughter. Thanks to all of your supportive comments, I'm feeling much less guilt about using this card to buy gifts to donate to our local Salvation Army. I'm happy to say that I've done the shopping, dropped off those gifts and thought you might like a peek at what that $100 gift card did for some less fortunate children in our town.


Before I hit the store to spend the gift card, I called up the Salvation Army to talk to one of the lovely volunteers who run the toy drive each year. I always call first to ask what type of toys they are short on. I was told that this year, it seem that most gifts were for girls so anything between the ages of 1 - 17 for boys would be most appreciated.

Now coming from a family where I have only had nieces to buy for, this was new territory. Little boy's gifts? Well, I headed to the store, grabbed a wagon and headed for the toy department. I will admit it was hard passing up all those Barbies and dolls in their cute little matching outfits but sticking to my guns, I headed for the boy's section. Well, I had a ball looking at all the building kits, blocks, airplanes, trucks, trains and tools. So much so that I couldn't narrow my shopping to just the $100 gift card so I ended up kicking in an extra $55 of my own. Again Zeller's came through with an additional discount although this year it was 10% instead of the 20% they allowed last year.

The next day, everything was packed into the truck and dropped off to the delight of those Salvation Army Volunteers. They were thrilled unpacking these shiny new toys knowing that Santa would be visiting some very deserving little boys.

I hope I've inspired you to spread some Christmas Cheer of your own, do some volunteering or just roll up your sleeves and get involved! Stay tuned, Part III of Spreading the Christmas Spirit is coming up shortly!

Happy Holidays!!
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42 comments:

  1. My Aimless InfatuationDecember 15, 2009 at 9:53 AM

    Good job! It would have been so much fun to have gone shopping with you,way to go little santa.

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  2. UnknownDecember 15, 2009 at 9:53 AM

    WTG momma. i too would have a hard time staying in a certain limit lol...

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  3. UnknownDecember 15, 2009 at 9:53 AM

    WTG momma. i too would have a hard time staying in a certain limit lol...

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  4. Nikia, May and da kidsDecember 15, 2009 at 10:12 AM

    That was awful GENEROUS of you. You have surely made the Christmas of some young boys that are deserving of your charitable spirit! This is the season of giving and you gave from your heart. That is the BEST kind of giving.

    May

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  5. Stacey J. WarnerDecember 15, 2009 at 10:52 AM

    Oh yes, in stead of gifts this year for the adults I donated money to the Seva Foundation to restore a child's sight...giving the gift of sight...can't imagine a better gift.

    well done

    much love

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  6. yoncaDecember 15, 2009 at 10:53 AM

    It is hard for me too staying in a certain limit.Ugh!
    You did great job!

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  7. Betty ManousosDecember 15, 2009 at 11:00 AM

    That was great of you. And thanks for spreading Xmas cheer!
    hugs

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  8. brainellaDecember 15, 2009 at 11:12 AM

    Yay! Good for you. It's such a wonderful thing.

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  9. Ina in AlaskaDecember 15, 2009 at 11:19 AM

    Awesome! Most of my husband's 5adult kids send NOTHING (not that I need or want anything) so you have done lots of good from a generous hearted step-relative! And I have gotten their message loud and clear so now they get nothing too, other than my good wishes. xoxo

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  10. glitterbygrammieDecember 15, 2009 at 11:22 AM

    My daughter and I did a Sub for Santa this year. You just have to give back. To me it is better than anything. My grandkdis aren't in need of anything, I am not in need of anything, there are alot of children out there that are in need.

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  11. BuckeroomamaDecember 15, 2009 at 11:36 AM

    I think it is awesome that you do this. :)

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  12. Formerly known as FrauDecember 15, 2009 at 11:55 AM

    Wow you did good, great toys! What a wonderful example of giving.

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  13. Caution/LisaDecember 15, 2009 at 12:05 PM

    Bravo, MNM!!!! Can't wait to see what you buy next year.

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  14. Theta MomDecember 15, 2009 at 12:20 PM

    Good for you mama!

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  15. Shannon K.December 15, 2009 at 12:31 PM

    We actually volunteered to adopt a family here.

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  16. AnonymousDecember 15, 2009 at 12:40 PM

    We love doing those kinds of things. We take the kids with us and they pick out the things they think the other little kids would like so we end up getting the most popular things and they have so much fun. Great post!

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  17. LissalooDecember 15, 2009 at 2:07 PM

    Great job :) You did good :)

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  18. UnknownDecember 15, 2009 at 2:20 PM

    Deb,

    You've done a wonderful job with this. And kicking in your own $$ to boot is so sweet. These kids will be so excited on Christmas morning! All because of YOU!

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  19. AnonymousDecember 15, 2009 at 2:28 PM

    You have inspired me for sure! Can't wait to read Part III. Thanks.

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  20. BonBon Rose Girls KristinDecember 15, 2009 at 2:33 PM

    You certainly are inspirational lady!

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  21. MOMSWEBDecember 15, 2009 at 2:42 PM

    THIS is what Christmas should be about - giving. You're my shero in more ways than one (smile).

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  22. Maureen@IslandRoarDecember 15, 2009 at 3:12 PM

    Isn't it fun to buy toys for mysterious unknown kids?
    They're very lucky and you are awesome!

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  23. AnonymousDecember 15, 2009 at 3:19 PM

    You're so awesome. This is exactly what the holidays SHOULD be about.

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  24. Together We SaveDecember 15, 2009 at 3:57 PM

    Thanks for the reminder!! We all need to get involved.

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  25. Working MommyDecember 15, 2009 at 4:02 PM

    Looks like a VERY successful shopping trip!! Congrats!

    ~WM

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  26. Connie KDecember 15, 2009 at 4:07 PM

    Well my friend you do have the Christmas spirit !! And i think alot of us should catch it too! Thanks my dear for inspiring me :)

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  27. LeslieDecember 15, 2009 at 4:34 PM

    The donations are so needed this year. You are such an inspiration!

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  28. Iva MessyDecember 15, 2009 at 5:05 PM

    so sweet and totally awesome!!

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  29. AnitaDecember 15, 2009 at 5:17 PM

    I like to give also. Great idea to use gift cards for that purpose. I'm sure I can find some around my house that are tucked away, unused.

    On another note, "a wagon?" I use the term "basket" but really should be using "cart" I guess. I like the language differences...always fun to hear.

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  30. Corrie HoweDecember 15, 2009 at 5:18 PM

    Cool! I love Fisher Price toys. I think we've had some of those. I'm sure the boys will be very happy.

    Until my daughter, I only had boys to buy for. It was so hard passing up all the adorable dresses.

    Then my daughter came and she's very tom boy and I still have to pass up all the adorable dresses, purses, shoes and hair accessories. :-(

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  31. Respectfully YoursDecember 15, 2009 at 5:35 PM

    Our Church has adopted 3 families this year. A sign of the times. It is such a wonderful feeling to help families in need. Great job, there are going to be some thrilled little boys.

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  32. Liz MaysDecember 15, 2009 at 6:22 PM

    It really is easier to shop for girls. I don't know if it's because I'm a girl myself or not.

    I love that you do this! I think you came up with some pretty wonderful items to donate!

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  33. AnonymousDecember 15, 2009 at 6:54 PM

    Boys are easy...they all love cars...

    Youve inspired me for this year...Im gonna make some calls and donate some toys myself....

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  34. ethelmaepotter!December 15, 2009 at 9:10 PM

    I just loaded up on boys toys, too. Walmart has a great deal running on Fisher Price Little People vehicles - $10, where they're normally $10.88 to around $17.00.

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  35. Brian MillerDecember 15, 2009 at 9:16 PM

    you know, there are going to be some happy kids come christmas...thank you on their behalf. that is awesome!

    thanks for dropping by as well and leading me here..

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  36. AnonymousDecember 15, 2009 at 9:23 PM

    what a joyous feeling it is to give! you're doing a great thing, deb! you ROCK!

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  37. gayleDecember 15, 2009 at 11:07 PM

    Doesn't if feel so good!! Thanks for sharing and reminding me I need to go shopping for our local nursing home!!

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  38. HeatherDecember 15, 2009 at 11:22 PM

    You are such an inspiration! I am inspired. Just got to wait and see if hubby gets his Christmas gift card/bonus this year.

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  39. tattytiaraDecember 15, 2009 at 11:52 PM

    Calling ahead to see what they needed was particularly brilliant, I must say.

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  40. honeypiehorseDecember 16, 2009 at 4:13 AM

    Lovely. People like you are the heart of why organizations like Salvation Army are able to make a difference.

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  41. Tooth Soap®December 16, 2009 at 8:34 AM

    Although I can't relate to xmas because I am a fully observant, religious Jew, I want to tell you that there are serious spiritual happenings going on in the heavenly realm when you give. It opens up the gates of heaven so that blessings will fall upon you. May you be very blessed in everything you do! xo

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  42. Jeanne EstridgeDecember 16, 2009 at 8:57 AM

    Was that FUN or what?

    I have 11 grandchildren, so I also get to buy toys sometimes. Although for Christmas we're giving them boring savings bonds, because they already get so much crap at Christmas.

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