December 11, 2002

• Monday evening, Dan and I wrapped gifts for our county’s version of Santa Anonymous.  Several of our friends were there helping also.  I don’t know how the program works in other communities, but in ours, parents come in by appointment.  The gifts are arranged on tables according to appropriate age group, and parents can choose a gift for each child.  There are also tables of hats, gloves and mittens, and one of quilts.  Each child can have a hat and mittens and each family can have a quilt.  Usually, there are boxes of stocking stuffers too, but these were gone by the time we were there.  After the parents finish “shopping,” they bring their selections to the gift wrap tables, where the volunteers wrap them.

  
  

  The program runs for 3 days.  We always wrap at the end of the last day, and I am happy if there are still good gifts left.  Sometimes the pickings are pretty slim by that time.  Last year, there were many wonderful things left even after all families had made their selections.  When that happens, the gifts are carefully packed away for the following year.  This year, there were nice gifts on the final day, but by the end of the day, there was only 1 box to pack for next year, and some families received gift certificates for children for whom there was no appropriate gift.  The gifts are donated, so the supply reflects the economy - good times mean lots of gifts; tough times mean far fewer donations.

  
  

  Because this is a small community, I know almost all the people who come in to choose gifts while I am there.  The selection site is not in my town, it is in the county seat, but that doesn’t matter.  Most of the faces are still familiar.  I see former Health Occupations students and current ESL students, plus various people I know in other ways.  It’s another time when I wonder if people mind seeing me there.  I am a volunteer gift wrapper, which means that I have the ability to provide gifts to my family.  The clients are selecting gifts, which may mean that if the program was not available, their children would receive no gifts.  I wonder how people feel about me knowing that much about their financial situation.

  
  

  The program also provides gifts that kids can select for their parents.  The choices are usually more limited in this area.  Most people like to donate gifts for kids, especially very young kids, so gifts for teens and adults are less prevalent.  Dan wrapped in the “adult room” this year, along with a couple of our friends.  He ducked out of the room when one of his students came in to choose gifts.  He did not think the student would want to run into him there.

  
  

  I am so grateful that this program exists in our county.  It makes me very sad that families cannot provide Christmas gifts, and yet I know this happens to lots of people.  When I shop every year, I always pick up a few things to donate.  Like everyone else, I like to buy for the little kids, but I have learned to think of the teens as well.  This year, I found a good deal on CD players, so I picked up a couple before I headed to the toy department.

  
  

  This year, the volunteer coordinator told us that the program is in danger of ending.  It is not mandated by the state, and with the big budget deficit this year, it is one of the things likely to be cut.  She asked that the service organizations in the county brainstorm ways to keep it going.  I hope the efforts are successful.  It would be very sad for it to end.  Participating is always a very rewarding experience for me and reminds me of how much I have in my life and how thankful I should be!

  • 9:27 am
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