The UPS man has worn a path through our front yard. That can only mean one thing--Christmas Crazy is coming along quite nicely. I have a guest bedroom quickly filling with toys. There are dolls and Legos, sewing kits and basketballs, gadgets and games . . . all of the things that will bring joy to kids of all ages. The toys will be delivered next Friday (December 16th) to Womansplace, just in time for Christmas.
We're currently at $2300, which is going to turn into a lot of toys. A LOT of toys.
But I want more.
I want there to be so many toys that Womansplace has too many toys. Not that there is ever such a thing, but I want there to be so many that they aren't carefully counting and dividing so that each kid gets exactly one thing. I want them to have room to breath. I want them to not have to worry this holiday season.
I want magic and joy to fill the heart of every kid Womansplace serves.
If you guys can drive that total up to $3500 by next Wednesday (December 14th), I will reward you. Sort of. It depends on how you look at it, really. Let's just say I am in possession of a few photographs of me from the days before I embraced my ruler-straight hair. They are group shots so you won't be able to fully enjoy the spectacle that is pink plastic glasses thicker than Coke bottles, but still. The photos are . . . something.
But I'm not posting them unless Christmas Crazy reaches $3500. So there.
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One of you asked a question which led to another question which sprouted an idea.
"Does Womansplace accept used stuff animals as donations?"
The short answer is no. Womansplace cannot accept used stuff animals because of concerns about cleanliness and safety.
However.
That question led to another question. "What do kids get when they check into the emergency shelter?"
The answer was that they get a toothbrush and a few other necessities. Consider that for a moment. The kids are caught in the middle of a crisis situation. They have fled everything that is familiar. They have grabbed a few essentials and ran away from home, with hopes of a new start in a safer place.
And they get a toothbrush.
We're going to help with that.
As an extension of Christmas Crazy, I've made arrangements with Womansplace to begin providing "Welcome Kits" for kids as they enter the shelter. They will be made up of a tote bag, a pair of socks/slippers, a small stuffed animal, a coloring book, and some crayons. Nothing extravagant, just a few small things that will hopefully make them feel a little bit welcome as they start along a new path.
Most of the details are already taken care of for the first few months, but if you are a knitter and have the time to make a few pair of socks or slippers, please let me know. My knitting skills are such that it would be punishment to get socks made by me. Maybe one or two or five of you can do better.
I'll let y'all know if I need anything else to make this tiny bit of magic happen. It's a simple thing that will go a long way in helping make a few kids feel just a little bit more comfortable.
Everyone deserves to be made to feel comfortable, whether they like it or not. ;-)
