The Best $3K I've Ever Spent
While some people choose to spend $3000 to make themselves look like an idiot, I much prefer to spend $3000 on making kids happy. Thanks to y'all, that's exactly what I just finished doing. First there was a pile of gift cards for Alle-Kiski HOPE Center. Then there was another pile of gift cards for the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. Finally, there was a nice chunk of change left to buy toys for kids.
Lots of toys.
That's less than half of the final haul. Really. I had several Playskool, Toys 'r Us, and Target coupons that expired a few weeks ago, so I made a few early runs to grab some things. In all, I used over $350 in coupons. WIN!
Tonight I met a few crazy people at Toys R Us to finish up the shopping.
Alexis has been REALLY into the shopping. Really, really, really into it. She is all about grabbing a few things and tossing them in the cart. "This is for a boy who doesn't have toys," she will say, while tossing in a Barbie doll. I can't fault the kid for not assigning genders to toys.
Tonight my merry elves and I added another $900 worth of toys to the pile. It took three shopping carts to hold it all.
Then it took four cars to haul the whole shebang over to Stuff-a-Bus.
(Left to right: @pghrugbyangel, @adriennemcc, some random kid who is usually glued to my leg but looooooves @adriennemcc enough to leave me alone for a minute, me, @kdudders, @tehamy, @kdudder's cousin, and @kdudder's super awesome mom)
The photo really doesn't do the GIANT PILE of toys justice. Together, we very nearly filled half of a school bus.
Seriously.
Half a bus.
Next year? We're totally filling an entire bus. Thanks again for all of your help!
If you've got a buck or two laying around, or a few minutes to spare, you can still get in on the Christmas Crazy action. The Women's Center and Shelter of Pittsburgh makes it super easy to sponsor a family with their online form. You can also stop by Stuff-a-Bus in the Miracle Mile parking lot in Monroeville. Tell them Burgh Baby sent you. ;-)
Monday, November 30, 2009
Reader Comments (31)
Since I know someone will ask, the coupons were online coupons and some are back to being available.
Target http://offers.e-centives.com/mcp/pd.cfm?encp=bw3Edh8NsU3vzmfu%2BCqxk1gE5kAdfbx6dC45DH8m6FuvNQDwYVl3xOH31DkRj79yzb%2BSNmiA403U%0D%0Ak0Vud5AkAA%3D%3D" rel="nofollow">coupons.
Other http://www.dealseekingmom.com/couponscom/" rel="nofollow">coupons.
Scroll through all the pages on both sites to find the toy coupons.
oh how awesome. I just wish we could see all the kids' faces on Christmas morning. How fun would that be?
Yeah. Okay. I do love you. Very much so. You just made me cry. Off to share the love so that others get weepy, too, because I hate crying ALONE.
Also, YOU. ARE. AWESOME.
@Jennifer--There is a tiny chance I might get photos from one of the DV centers. If I do, I'm definitely sharing.
This is totally awesome. You rock, as do all the people that donated, and those that helped in person to make it all happen. Thank you, and everyone that helped, for doing something so wonderful for so many kids.
That is so awesome!! And what a great lesson for Alexis, too :)
You are a rock star!
What a great spirit you have to give so much to so many. Thanks for the inspiration.
Incredible. we donate some every year but nothing like that. Great job.
Beyond cool. Way beyond . . .
That looks like SO MUCH FUN! Kudos to you and your elves for making the season a little brighter for some families.
Yay! It looked like a good time!
We did good. Burgh Baby, you did the best of all.
You ROCK. This is amazing. I am so glad I participated because normally you don't really see much after you send money, but with your blog we all have been able to see what the money is doing! It's been fun to see all this.
You And The Readers Are Superheros
Thank You Everyone
Bob
This is so awesome! I wish I could say more! But it is! It is awesome!
I love it! You are amazing!
You? Are awesome. That's absolutely amazing. Thank you for doing it.
Simply awesome!!!!
Ditto Jennifer C. Thanks, Burgh Baby!
Wow! This is such a wonderful thing you do! Kuddos to you and your elves!
Now THAT is freaking awesome!
And here I thought you just really liked to spoil your daughter when I saw you unload it all.
xoxo
Just kidding.. I didn't see you unload anything because I NEVER EVER see anything through my deck window.. and you likewise right? RIGHT?( FRANTIC)
Thanks for doing this, ladies. I'm so glad we could help some deserving kids this Christmas season!
Awesome :)
I'm tearing up over here. Not a bad way to start my day, really.
Thank you so, so much for doing this!
i feel all warm and fuzzy now.
thats so awesome!
You ROCK, kiddo! And how wonderful for Alexis to learn to give back at such an early age!
AWESOME!!
Thanks for your leadership...you made it fun to participate. God bless the children.