The Salvation Army has set up Angel Trees in the malls with names of people in need who could use a little help during the holiday season. We decided to devote the day trying to help a few wishes come true. Mom said she wanted to do it, too and was very excited about this fun adventure.We saw this adorable train and I could picture KC having a great time on it when she gets here in a couple of weeks.
The trees are decorated with little paper angels listing the first name, age, male or female and what they would like to have for the holiday.
Mom wanted to help a little girl. We selected two other boys, one was a toddler and the other was 4 years old.
Most of the angels had names of children when we were there. It was a wonderful feeling to imagine how happy they would be when they saw their toys.
It was also sad to see that the trees could not hold all the angels who needed help. Many more were placed on the tables.
We found everything the boys wanted, but Mom's little 20 month old girl wanted a Fisher Price Learning Piggy Bank. None of the Toys R Us had it. Neither did Sears, 3 K-Marts, Targets, Wal-Mart, Navy BX or the small toy stores we went to. We also made calls everywhere and nobody had it. I guess, the day after Black Friday is a hard time to find a specific toy.
We went back to the Angel Tree and told them we failed. We selected another little girl, 8 years old this time who wanted Barbie and Polly Pocket. That was much easier. We got both and brought them back to the Angel Tree to give to her.It was a very satisfying day.
indeed, "it was a very satisfying day."
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice thing to do.
ReplyDeleteI suppose they should also have a tree for people who need help with food or something.
In these trying times i would think there would be need for a tree for the parents of those whose children has a special wish.
What an absolutely wonderful idea, and how generous of you to pick more than one child, and to spend so much time trying to make it happen.
ReplyDeleteHi Kay! What a great idea! Very personal too. Every one can fulfill the right wish for the right person.Your family and your mum are very kind people! Have a wonderful Advent time to prepare yourselves for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteOur church has a similar program, although the people ask for a wider variety of items (clothes and personal items in addition to "fun things"). Each year I take one or two names from the tree. It's fun shopping for someone else.
ReplyDeletethe true spirit of christmas-bless the less fortunate. what a gift you gave...
ReplyDeleteWhoa, you three actually went to all those stores in person to find the piggy bank? That is dedication!
ReplyDeleteI intend to donate money to the Salvation Army, IHS, and other charities -- especially the Salvation Army, which arranged such a wonderful and beautiful celebration of life for my sister-in-law after she died suddenly. We were in such shock and grief, we did nothing to help them with the funeral.
That year, we were so grateful that we donated $700 to the SA. Think of all the good they do throughout the year!!!
Oh, Kay, I told Dick you and Art were wonderful people but now I have proof.
ReplyDeleteI can completely understand how satisfying a day it must have been. You three are angels yourselves.
Luv, K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
I've never done an angel tree but really should. Last January, though, when coats were on sale at ridiculously low prices, I bought a child's size 12 winter coat to donate to this year's Coats for Kids campaign. Last week I knitted a matching hat to go with the coat. This week I'll put the coat and hat in the donation box at a local supermarket. I hope someone is kept a bit warmed through these donations. I also enjoy doing an Operation Christmas Child shoebox of gifts for a child in a third-world country. This year, the day before I drove to the donation site, I happened to mention the project to a good friend. She'd never heard of OCC but managed to promptly, within a couple of hours, fill not one but TWO boxes for needy children! Then she and I drove to the collection center the next day to leave our packed boxes. It's so much fun to be able to help others, especially children.
ReplyDeleteThe three of you are angels indeed! Such a beautiful, caring thing to do! I know I have always enjoyed being able to do things like this, it does create a warm glow inside! Blessings to you all!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
I love being able to grand Angel tree wishes like this. We try to do a few every year plus something for the Marine's Toys For Tot's program. When he was out of a job, it hurt to not be able to do any of this stuff.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea, I have never seen an Angel tree. God bless you and your family for participating and I can just see those kids faces when Christmas comes. Thank you for coming by and have a nice Sunday.
ReplyDeleteThe Salvation Army does that in our community, too. I used to participate every year, but now I buy specifically for kids at my school. It's so fun.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great reason to spend a day shopping! Thank you for helping others.
ReplyDeleteEverybody: This is the first year we've done the angel tree and really had fun. We did see grown-up wishes for things like serving dishes, blenders, and king bed sets, but we wanted to do something for the children instead yesterday. We do donate to the Salvation Army also, on top of the Star Advertiser Holiday Fund, Heifer, Doctors Without Borders, etc. In this case, we just wanted to feel the joy of children.
ReplyDeleteGigi: We went to K-Mart (Nimitz), Toy R Us (Pearlridge), Babies R Us (Pearl City), Ala Moana Shopping Center, Sears (Pearlridge & Ala Moana)and Navy Exchange. Then we made a lot of phone calls. We were actually really sad we couldn't find it. My granddaughter had one as a baby. I have a feeling Hawaii just doesn't stock that particular toy.
ReplyDeleteYou now have a few more "mitsva points" to your spiritual merit. Good onya.
ReplyDeleteKay;
ReplyDeleteWe have donated toys before at the Holidays and we did pick from the angel tree when we lived in Ohio.
Bout time we did it again though, you inspire just by your everyday actions.
I have been sick and feeling pretty un-holiday like!
Now I am feeling renewed.
Thank you for that my loving friend!
This morning I took something from the Angel Tree at Church. It is for the elders at the Senior Center who have no family.
ReplyDeleteIn Vegas I always shopped for a child. One year a child asked for pink jeans. Do you know how hard pink jeans are to find in winter?! I finally found some at Target, but I think that was the 15th store I tried! I do hope the little one whose name you returned finally gets her toy!
You are all simply great! I think giving to those in need is an integral part of the holidays and do as much as I can to help.
ReplyDeleteYour family is a special band of angels to help out. What a wonderful way to help out.
ReplyDeleteOn Gigi's site, you mentioned your cereal made of 6 types. What is the special blend?
Thanks, DrumMajor
Wow, I would have worn out about the third store into that long list of stores. Your mother is a strong lady.
ReplyDeleteIt seems odd seeing you shopping in shorts and summer clothes. I'm chilled to the bone today.
Angel tress are a wonderful gift to the community.
what a wonderful thing to do Kay! This is surely what Christmas is all about.
ReplyDeleteI have been on the receiving end of this as a child. Santa Claus came while we were making cookies and Annie was on tv. Funny how we remember silly details:) I don't know what organization it was but know that your actions will be remembered:)
ReplyDeleteQuilly: I'm surprised you found pink jeans at all. I'm sorry we couldn't find that piggy bank, but I do believe it was the parents who wanted it rather than the 20 month old toddler. I wish they'd made it more general so we could have gotten something for her.
ReplyDeleteDrumMajor: Would you believe I actually did a post about it a while ago?
http://travelerswife.blogspot.com/2009/08/serious-cereal.html
This is me.
Art does 2 very healthy bran stuff. I've added chocolate Cheerios to my blend just because it was on sale.
Linda: My mom came with us to half of the stores. We took her home to have lunch and rest while we continued the quest farther into Honolulu.
Anonymous: I'm thrilled to know that these gifts impact children so happily. It meant a whole lot to the three of us, too. It was the first time we'd participated in the Angel Tree and doing so was just as much a gift to us. We've put the angel tags on our tree and we smile when we look at them.
Kay, I'm sure the little "angels" will love everything you bought! What a nice thing to do. We have Operation Shoebox for children here in NC and of course, most of the churches have stars on trees with children that need help during the holidays. I love that part of Christmas!!
ReplyDelete"Satisfying" AND generous, kind, caring, thoughtful, living and totally in the spirit of Christmas. High five!
ReplyDeletecheers, jj
Thanks goodness...the real idea behind the holidays....I hope there are many more angels who grant some wishes...lovely...
ReplyDelete