All I want For Christmas

[DaveM]

Each year in our main shopping centre (mall) they have what is called the tree of hope. It is a Christmas tree and they have cards on them filled in by people that are less fortunate than most. These cards have a bit about the person where they live (as in what institution or home. and the name of the person.).

I was reading a few at lunch time and they go like this

Female age 60
All I want for Christmas is – food parcel

Male age 8
All I want for Christmas is – Bag for school books

Male age 21
All I want for Christmas is – Toiletries

Male age 6
All I want for Christmas is – Red T-shirt

Female age 63
All I want for Christmas is – Toiletries

And the cards go on and on in the same light as above.

 

[Lioness]

I could make a really horrible remark such as..... these people definatley are not constipated (toiletries) but..... ag shame man.

If I didn't have such an awesome holiday planned I would have liked to do a soup kitchen thingy at Beit Bridge. Now those are people that would have a heartbreaking xmas list.

 

[Rocky]

We have similar projects here to help the less fortunate. We select a child and see that they get the toy or whatever they ask for.

 

[DaveM]

This is the only time that I wish I had plenty of cash :y18:

 

[CarlS]

We participate in Toy's for Tots which brings toys to children who would otherwise not get any gifts.

 

[Gary]

Xmas is a hard time. There's immediate family, other family, your church family, friends and usually work associates that really need to be considered before looking for others, and no one has unlimited resources.

Just last week my minister called me to find a ride to Sunday services for a young (early thirties) couple who wished to attend services but had no transportation. I made the arrangements and on Sunday morning set the address they had given me on the navigation system in the car and ultimately found them on a dead end gravel road living in old house trailer (the man said his mother was a truck driver and they lived with her in her trailer) . Their church clothes were clothes my wife or I would have long ago disposed of and it was obvious neither had been to a beauty shop or barber shop in well over a year. I felt very guilty for having so much more than them, but...

- I have been worse off several times in my life and pulled myself up without help,
- they are young and have a lifetime of opportunity,
- they might be alcoholics or druggies,
- there were no children, very unusual (they might be convicted felons and the state may have them), and
- neither talked of wanting work or looking for work.

I'm willing to help someone who is really trying to help themselves, but there are lots of people who just won't try and think life owes them something for nothing, and my experience with trying to help some of these types is that it is only a waste of time. Been there, done that; still have the scars.

However, in this case I know their neighbors well, and if they check out OK, I will significantly brighten their Xmas.

 

[CarlS]

I'm willing to help someone who is really trying to help themselves, but there are lots of people who just won't try and think life owes them something for nothing, and my experience with trying to help some of these types is that it is only a waste of time. Been there, done that; still have the scars.

Well said!

 

[Lioness]

Times are really tough for a lot of people at the moment. There are just so many people that really need help and sometimes you just feel so helpless in the face of it all. If you want serious poverty just come to Africa - it breaks your heart. I think the last thing most Africans think about is xmas - they just need a meal for today, every day. We would like to try and make a difference in everybodys life but unfortunately we don't have the money. We already financially support extended family because through no fault of theirs they find themselves the wrong colour in an affirmative action country. So many whites are now unemployed whether through retrenchments because of the recession or just because they are white. Whilst I don't care what colour I support and help, money only goes so far and those closest to you will obviousy benefit first in the line.