12-27-2007, 02:05 PM
Hi all,
The secret santa program for this forum, I believe was mothered by our dear blue monster. She coordinated it and organized it last year from what I remember when I was reading. For me, I usually don't get involved to much in this sort of donation, becasue I am someone who wants to know that the money that I give goes directly to the people who needs it and not to cover administration costs etc. I am so happy that I got involved in this program. What it did for a few people who would not have had a Christmas this year was just beyond wonderful, it was amazing and shows the true meaning of Christmas in everyway. I am so proud of all of you or us, and I am so happy to be a part of this group of people.
First I want you all to know that everything dollar you sent was spent to its fullest. I spent very little on shipping becasue I wanted as much as possible to go out for the needs. I am going to generalize some of the pms I received from the people whose Christmas was more successful becasue of this program.
Everyone sent me a pm when their items arrived. Through out the process I would send each person information on what was coming and I kept track of the shipping progress and would send them copies of this as well. When the items arrived they all sent their heart felt sincere thank yous. I wish I could put in words as they all did in their pms describing how the program has affected their lives especially for their family. One them stated that now their family wants to know more about all of us and this forum that their parent spends time on. One of them described a husband who is very proud looking upon the excitment of their children and their was a tear or two coming from his eyes. One of them states that their children are truly believing in Christmas and its true meaning of giving, not shopping but giving.
Some examples include a son who received a hooded coat, was so happy that he would not be cold anymore when he goes outside. He was even more happy to have a hood on the coat. Then there is a daughter who received two pairs of jeans. She was described as jumping up and down in excitment. Another daughter needed clothes to wear to work. This daughter was so happy when she received her new clothes to work in.
Then there was a family with young children who received something very special from one of you in your packages to them. They recieved a note from santa. Doing this was a very creative and thoughtful thing to do. This cost nothing and yet brought so much happiness to a couple of young children. To the forum member who did it, thank you. You know who you are, and now you know that it did exactly what you knew it would do, bring more excitment for the children ... isn't this what Christmas is about. The giving of one's self.
I heard from the members that received gifts for Christmas that their children were very excited, that they were playing the games, or playing with the dolls etc. One them wrote about her daughter receiving clothes to wear to work and how great it is to see her happiness as she chose one of the outfits sent to her to go to work in. One of them wrote that she is writing through tears of happiness as she is watching her children play. My heart stopped for just a minute and then started beating again, as I pictured this occuring. How wonderful this program is. Again, thank you all so much. Without all of you, it could never have happened. And thank you to all who put their pride in their pockets for awhile for the sake of their children. This is the best Christmas I have ever had, and not because of what I posted on the thread about what did you get for Christmas, but becasue of this program. The real gift is in the giving. And you all allowed me to be a part of it. Thank you so much.
Additionally, some of the families received gift cards to walmart if they had a super walmart for groceries close to wear they lived. The thank you pm's that I received from the people who received gift cards said thank you and how lovely their Christmas dinner was becasue of the gift cards. They stated that they had a Christmas dinner with ham and the trimmings, or turkey and the trimmings. I wish I could write it as they wrote it to me for it always made me cry in happiness and thankfulness that I know all of you.
Again... I sent a full accounting of money in and money out to monster and to spring. I am going to send it also to admin. I just maintained a paper trail for all to know how their money was spent. I believe it was very successful. We did encounter one problem which I am still working on and it is about one of the gift cards received from walmart. Unfortunately when a family tried to use it they said it was empty. My heart broke when I heard of this, and have been working with customer service to make this right to this family. Unfortunately it did not happen before Christmas. The family is very understanding and said that a neighbor brought them some food items for Christmas. I have contacted customer service and we are still working on this. It was paid with my credit card, so the paper trail is easy to follow. Walmart will fix this and then this family will still have the money to do with as they need.
You all are the best... thank you so much for allowing me an opportunity to see Christmas spirit at its best. I love you all and am so thankful to know you.... love Red
The secret santa program for this forum, I believe was mothered by our dear blue monster. She coordinated it and organized it last year from what I remember when I was reading. For me, I usually don't get involved to much in this sort of donation, becasue I am someone who wants to know that the money that I give goes directly to the people who needs it and not to cover administration costs etc. I am so happy that I got involved in this program. What it did for a few people who would not have had a Christmas this year was just beyond wonderful, it was amazing and shows the true meaning of Christmas in everyway. I am so proud of all of you or us, and I am so happy to be a part of this group of people.
First I want you all to know that everything dollar you sent was spent to its fullest. I spent very little on shipping becasue I wanted as much as possible to go out for the needs. I am going to generalize some of the pms I received from the people whose Christmas was more successful becasue of this program.
Everyone sent me a pm when their items arrived. Through out the process I would send each person information on what was coming and I kept track of the shipping progress and would send them copies of this as well. When the items arrived they all sent their heart felt sincere thank yous. I wish I could put in words as they all did in their pms describing how the program has affected their lives especially for their family. One them stated that now their family wants to know more about all of us and this forum that their parent spends time on. One of them described a husband who is very proud looking upon the excitment of their children and their was a tear or two coming from his eyes. One of them states that their children are truly believing in Christmas and its true meaning of giving, not shopping but giving.
Some examples include a son who received a hooded coat, was so happy that he would not be cold anymore when he goes outside. He was even more happy to have a hood on the coat. Then there is a daughter who received two pairs of jeans. She was described as jumping up and down in excitment. Another daughter needed clothes to wear to work. This daughter was so happy when she received her new clothes to work in.
Then there was a family with young children who received something very special from one of you in your packages to them. They recieved a note from santa. Doing this was a very creative and thoughtful thing to do. This cost nothing and yet brought so much happiness to a couple of young children. To the forum member who did it, thank you. You know who you are, and now you know that it did exactly what you knew it would do, bring more excitment for the children ... isn't this what Christmas is about. The giving of one's self.
I heard from the members that received gifts for Christmas that their children were very excited, that they were playing the games, or playing with the dolls etc. One them wrote about her daughter receiving clothes to wear to work and how great it is to see her happiness as she chose one of the outfits sent to her to go to work in. One of them wrote that she is writing through tears of happiness as she is watching her children play. My heart stopped for just a minute and then started beating again, as I pictured this occuring. How wonderful this program is. Again, thank you all so much. Without all of you, it could never have happened. And thank you to all who put their pride in their pockets for awhile for the sake of their children. This is the best Christmas I have ever had, and not because of what I posted on the thread about what did you get for Christmas, but becasue of this program. The real gift is in the giving. And you all allowed me to be a part of it. Thank you so much.
Additionally, some of the families received gift cards to walmart if they had a super walmart for groceries close to wear they lived. The thank you pm's that I received from the people who received gift cards said thank you and how lovely their Christmas dinner was becasue of the gift cards. They stated that they had a Christmas dinner with ham and the trimmings, or turkey and the trimmings. I wish I could write it as they wrote it to me for it always made me cry in happiness and thankfulness that I know all of you.
Again... I sent a full accounting of money in and money out to monster and to spring. I am going to send it also to admin. I just maintained a paper trail for all to know how their money was spent. I believe it was very successful. We did encounter one problem which I am still working on and it is about one of the gift cards received from walmart. Unfortunately when a family tried to use it they said it was empty. My heart broke when I heard of this, and have been working with customer service to make this right to this family. Unfortunately it did not happen before Christmas. The family is very understanding and said that a neighbor brought them some food items for Christmas. I have contacted customer service and we are still working on this. It was paid with my credit card, so the paper trail is easy to follow. Walmart will fix this and then this family will still have the money to do with as they need.
You all are the best... thank you so much for allowing me an opportunity to see Christmas spirit at its best. I love you all and am so thankful to know you.... love Red
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.
