Making a List and Checking it Twice
Lists. I like lists. Lists are good.
I make them all of the time. I make a list first thing in the morning so that I have a plan for my day. I make lists before I run errands, when I'm planning to bake, and I especially make them when I have shopping to do.
I most definitely like to have lists when I go Christmas shopping.
And yet, for the past three years, I've gone into Christmas Crazy without a list. I ask the agencies who we help for one, but I never get one. I totally and completely understand why -- domestic violence agencies aren't accustomed to getting help. They provide services that we would all rather pretend aren't needed. We don't like to think about the fact that a husband can physically hurt a woman to the point that she is nearly dead and yet she ends up being the one who has to flee in the middle of the night, with small children in tow but none of their belongings.
It's not right, but it happens.
So when the internet says, "Hey! We want to make Christmas better for your kids!" the agencies are just so grateful for the help that they can't imagine being picky about that help.
But this year I have a list. It's not a complete list because such a thing isn't possible. There will be kids who come and go from emergency shelters who we will make sure have a great Christmas, but we can't predict who they will be.
However, it is possible to predict who will likely be in a transitional shelter when Christmas rolls around. These are kids whose mothers (men can be the victims of domestic violence just as much as women can, but it's usually the mothers who end up at shelters) are working towards independence. A little stability is in place and their families are depending on the services that Center for Victims provides. They live in shelters, but it's a bit of a longer-term situation (think weeks instead of days) as they transition into their future.
These are the kids that the staff at Center for Victims learn a little bit about. They know what they like, they know what makes them smile, they know what makes them laugh. And they know what they want for Christmas this year.
Here's a little sample of that list:
* There's a 16-year old girl who wants body wash, lotion, gloves, earmuffs, and a housecoat.
* There's a 7-year old girl who wants princess things.
* There's a 11-year old boy who wants books.
* There's a 5-year old boy who wants anything that will help with learning words.
There are babies, teenagers, toddlers, and tweens. Some of them just want basics while others have dared to dream a little bigger. The thing they all have in common is that they just want to have a great holiday season.
I like lists. Lists are good.
Let's check off some items on that list.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Reader Comments (3)
This is kinda random, but reading your post, now that you have some basic lists, have you thought of doing an Amazon registry / wish list? I saw this done recently for another charity, and it seemed to work well. Supporters can go on & purchase items, then they're shipped directly to the organizers address (office or home). Just a thought.
BTW - you're doing an amazing thing here.
I love this!!! I'm so excited for these kids.
Its been 10 years since my nephews stunned me with their ungrateful and selfish display of spoiled rottenness. Ever since then I have always bought toys for Christmas and then given them to charity instead of to their royal evilnesses This year I'll make it even easier on myself and just donate the money I would have spend on them to Christmas Crazy. I know these kids will appreciate it.