During our big toy giveaway before Christmas, I noticed a woman in line who appeared visibly disturbed and tearful. After greeting her, I asked how she was doing. She replied, “Do you have anything for adults? I would like something for my husband.”
I had a hunch there was more under the surface. Not wanting to get into a personal discussion in front of everyone else, I thought I would wait until she was in the St. Nicholas Toy Shoppe.
Once inside, I asked what was going on in her life. As the tears began again she said, “I think I have cancer and my husband is not working! Is there any way I can get a gift for him?”
I was amazed she was thinking of him and not of herself. I told her to wait a minute and went to my desk where I kept a stash of gift cards generous people gave me and returned to give several to her. It was then she really started crying.
She left our office with toys for her children and the ability to buy something for her husband and herself with joy in her heart. This is just one of the many stories I could relate.
As for our Christmas programs across the diocese, we were able to help almost 1,000 individuals with food (including turkeys and hams) and almost 800 families and more than 2,500 children with Christmas gifts. There are many other stories like the one related above that I could share.
I am most grateful to all of our donors for without you, none of this would have ever happened. It is our prayer that you all have a blessed and holy 2015!
