Grateful that I can

My Christmas shopping is done, and in this post I'm focusing on gifts for people I don't even know.

Harriet. She's 9 years old and either lives in, or attends daycare at, the local children's home. The kids there share their Christmas wishes, which are printed on ornaments hung on the tree at our neighborhood Whole Foods. I chose to deliver on Harriet's wish because while other little girls longed for Barbie, she asked for STEM. Now I was a Barbie girl and would never throw shade, but I admire Harriet for marching to her own drummer. So I got her this rock kit and a $10 Target gift card (because it was noted she also needs a new sweater).

Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation. I read the story of a mom with a couple kids, one of whom was battling cancer. She explained that with between jobs and medical appointments, she and her husband were just spread too thin to provide a Merry Christmas for her family, and she was very grateful when my favorite ballplayer and his charity team stepped in and took over. Already wrapped gifts showed up for both her sick child and his sibling. Another parent reported that, even though they didn't have time to decorate their home, the Rizzo foundation contracted a local hardware store and outdoor lights were purchased and hung, enabling Santa to find their house on Christmas Eve. So when I saw their toy drive and this Nerf football was listed, it seemed quite literally like the least I could do to help. I am grateful that my favorite ballplayer has opened my eyes to the fact that when a child is battling cancer, his brothers and sisters are effected, too. If you're looking for a charity to support, you could do far worse than this one. 

Toys for Tots. Have you noticed that for the last few years, this venerable organization has been asking for books as well? I think that's awesome, and so I dropped a pair of books into the collection box at my local Walgreen's. (This is the only one I remember; the other one had stickers in the back.)

JFK said "God's work must be our own." That seems especially important this time of year. Giving is the best way to honor the spirit of the season, and I'm grateful I can do it.