Let's make a Merry Christmas

Hey all,
I seem to start far too many of these this way, but wow! It's been far too long since I've written here.
Not going to dwell on that this time around though. I'll deal with my absence in a future (but not too future) installment.
Today I'd like to talk about the "Mostly Annual" Christmas Family Adoption that I do here through IMFIT.
I say mostly because I took a year off last year while I was busy getting my own, new life back in order.


I'm back at it this year and hoping I can get a few friends and clients help me help make a families Christmas a little more merry this year. For those of you who aren't familiar with this, I adopt a needy family in the Halton Region each Christmas, contribute a chunk of my own cash and reach out to friends and clients to donate $20 to go towards helping fulfill the list that Halton CAS has provided me.

This year's family is a single mom on disability with three kids, aged 12, 5 and 2. Every year that I do this, the simplicity of the list is what gets me the most.

Mom: Baking Sheets, Spa Voucher, Walmart Gift Cards
12 yr old boy: Mattress and box spring for twin bed, socks, zip up hoodies
5yr old boy: Disney Cars, socks, underwear
2yr old girl: bike, dress shoes, socks, warm pyjamas

In this day of techie this, glitzy that, LCD 3D, Ipod, Wii etc...we are constantly bombarded with messages telling us to buy all these big, bright toys to have the perfect Christmas. The media, corporations and marketing whiz-kids have done an excellent job of blurring the lines between what we want, and what we really need. I don't know about you, but when I see a list like the one above, it makes me to stock of what I need.

I've had to do a lot of that lately, now that I'm on my own and taking care of my dog, my discretionary income isn't what it has been in the past. Sure I'd love a new 42" LCD TV, but I don't need one. I've even decided that I don't need cable, and make due with the 3-4 channels I get for free. So why bother with the fancy TV? LOL

This want vs need issue is why I do this every Christmas. Personally, I don't need anything other than food on the table, a roof over my head and a healthy dog at my side. I have all those things, and have no problem providing them for myself. Those in my family circle, and friends circle are all in the same situation. They have everything they need, and don't want for anything discretionary. I would rather put my Christmas dollars towards people who need things, and are having a hard time providing for those needs on their own. And, I'm hoping enough of you out there will feel the same and join me in helping this family have a happy Christmas.

If you are interested in helping out you can either donate cash to my shopping fund, or choose an item on the list and drop it off to me. Either way, drop me a line and let me know if you're in.

Thanks for reading, and have a Happy Holiday!