by Vanessa Calleja

Created on: December 28, 2008

During the holidays when my family has more than what they need I begin to look at ways to donate to those in need. This is one of the greatest blessings my family experiences at Christmas time.

This year, things were not as easy for us. With a failing economy I was limited to what I could even purchase for my own kids. However, no matter what we always try to help at least one family in need.

As a way to get assistance from others around me I decided to put up a Christmas Tree at work and advertised to our clients that we were taking "Christmas Requests." At first, no one seemed to speak up. Then it happened. Two weeks before Christmas people started leaving "requests" in our mailbox every day! There were so many I became overwhelmed.

People requested socks, shoes, hats, mittens, scarves, coats, food, toys and books. With the economy in the tank people really asked for the basic things. There were no outlandish requests such as video game systems or the latest gadget. They just wanted their families to have the necessities. And the most amazing request? Was from a little 6 year old girl who just wanted her mommy to have boots so she could walk her to the bus stop every morning. She never asked for anything for herself!

The local businesses around us found out what we were doing and decided to pitch in and help. We had an open house where those who wanted to give to these families could come in and pick a request off the tree. Most people took 3-5 requests. Then they purchased the gift listed on the ornament shaped request, wrapped it and returned it to our office where it was put under the tree, with the ornament request used as a gift tag.

We arranged for a day where everyone could help distribute the gifts that had been purchased. We went to a local grocery store and got sandwich stuff, chips, pasta salads, pre-made cookies, cakes, pop, coffee, etc. Then we invited each recipient to have a Christmas Lunch at our office. We talked. We laughed. We listened. We learned that even in the face of adversity these people could encourage others instead of worrying about themselves!

The look on each person's face when they saw the tree overflowing with gifts was one I will never forget! Each person who filled out an ornament request was given a gift! And it wasn't just something that someone thought they needed. It was what they had asked for!

You can't even imagine how everyone felt that day. We reached about 60 families this year instead of just one family or one charity. I hope we can do this each year with the help of our business community and reach even more people next year! It is the time to give and with so many in need it is hard to know where to start!

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