A few months back, I met a single mom who was busy raising a very large family. We started spending time together, and one day we were chit-chatting and the topic of Christmas came up. I knew the family was struggling financially, so I asked mom how she planned to get through Christmas. There was no plan -- there was no extra money now and there certainly wouldn't be at Christmastime either.
I went home wondering how I could ensure these children had everything they should have on Christmas Day. I felt that there must be a way ...
I decided to hit the local buy and sell sites on Facebook to try to buy at least one used toy for each of these children. I live on a very limited income and I soon felt the effects of this decision, so I decided to totally go out on a limb and ask the public for help.
I placed a notice on two local buy and sell sites, explained the circumstances, and asked people to consider donating used toys to my family in need. I also placed a notice on my personal Facebook page requesting assistance with providing for this family.
Well let me tell you, the next day the offers to help came rolling in. One evening it took me three hours to get through all the replies. This person had this; another had that; what could they use; give us a list ...
I spent a week running around picking up donations. I then spread all of the contributions out in my sunroom and invited mom to come and have a look; she was overwhelmed and asked me to take my notices down as we already had too much. I still had several donations waiting, so I contacted these families to advise we just could not take any more donations.
Not only did we receive plenty of toys from the wonderful people on the buy and sell sites, but my personal friends provided me with enough cash to buy treats and stocking stuffers for the children.
When I tried to tell my one friend, who is severely stricken with MS, that I would not take her money, her reply was “let me feel good too”. A second person told me how she remembered her father paying a large power bill at Christmastime, leaving very little for Christmas. Another person who donated funds later wrote and said: “You got me inspired again so I am working with three single moms right now too.”
For those who donated toys, I want you to know that we have found a single mom with one child and a family with four children to share the extra toys with. Rest assured nothing will go to waste.
We live in a wonderful community and sometimes I think we forget that. And it is not just the people who live in this community that care about Olds; two of the people who donated are former graduates of Olds College and two others are just good people from Calgary. It seems there are no boundaries when it comes to charity.
I hope this letter reminds you as to how special our neighbours and friends really are.
And wouldn't you know it, today I just received a donation of that one last gift that we still needed. This experience has been nothing but a miracle to me.
Merry Christmas and God bless from the bottom of my heart to those that helped me provide for this family. To my former students from Olds College: you do me proud.
Bev Christman
Olds
"We live in a wonderful community and sometimes I think we forget that."
