As the old adage goes, ‘tis better to give than to receive’. This is especially true at this time of year, when added sentimentality make any kind of giving a warm and fuzzy enterprise.
Wanting to do my part, I contacted the
Calgary Immigrant Educational Society, to see if there was a student that was in need of assistance. Immigrants are close to my heart, as I too landed in Canada as an immigrant from the Czech Republic when I was nearly 8 years old. An escape from communist rule, my parents fled their homeland to give my brother and I a chance at a different life.
There were many years of struggle, language barriers, and financial hardships. Necessities like food and housing were not easily afforded, and had there been help available at the time, I know my parents would have appreciated it.
So as I was told about Abok, a Sudanese immigrant (and single mom) who was trying to make a better life for herself and her six children, I knew immediately I wanted to help give the family a nice Christmas.
I asked for the children (aged 4-17) to make a wish list for Santa (1 gift each), and Santa would try his best. Of course Santa wouldn’t be able to accomplish much without his elves, and so the call went out to colleagues, family and friends.
The response was more than I could have hoped for. All items on the wish list were quickly taken care of, from MP3 players to winter jackets and boots, and countless items in between.
Generosity was in abundance, as was the spirit of the season. In the end, nearly $1000 in cash and gift cards were donated, as was about $1100 in gifts, clothing, and other personal care items. It truly did not take much, with $10 and $20 donations adding up to a truly big give.
Calgary’s
XOCards even made a beautifully personalized holiday card for the family, filled with holiday wishes from all who contributed.
In the end, the give took three weeks to organize, two days day to wrap, and one moment that everyone can be proud of.
Merry Christmas everyone!