Christian Outreach In Action

Mary & I had the pleasure of volunteering
(from 11 A.M.-3 P.M.-we stayed an extra hour) for the first time for this worthy cause; trust MP, I almost never volunteer unless I feel my time will be well spent on volunteering for a worthy cause!
Everything from Barbies, foot balls, walkie talkies, skate boards, electric cars, dolls, you name it, it was most likely there; I mean a packed back room that would make Santa Ho-​Ho-​My!!!
Yes, full of donated toys and the like for ALL ages, busting at the seems, with all of the elves bustling about organizing them and refreshing the delivery areas with every group’s arrival!
===============================================================
This organization helps make Christmas a very special time for Families
(who are not as fortunate as others) and their children by offering up a 1 toy per child gift center located within a church; 20 – 25 people are allowed in at a time, toy distribution is distributed by volunteers areas beginning with ages 0 – 3, 4 – 7, 8 – 12 and 13 – 17.
Also, while waiting, the children are entertained by volunteers offering up all kinds of arts & crafts and in the main area of the church, they had a packed house of of demographics singing Christmas carols and, recognizing every other holiday celebrated by other cultures & religions at this time of year too.
The toy distribution process begins at 8 A.M. and goes through until 4 P.M.; many families and their children were there as early as 4 A.M. in line to get in, there must have been over 500 families & children throughout the whole day; when Marty & I exited, the line that wrapped around the block and then some was gone.
I volunteered on the 0 – 3 age group and Marty was over at the 8 – 12 age group distribution; for the last hour I then moved over to the 8 – 12 area to assist as that was a pretty busy place and, that’s where all of the skate boards and cool stuff was-​just the kid in me I guess!
I was truly (and still am actually) humbled by this experience and, 1 little boy who was age 8 touched my heart:
Marty waved me over to translate in Spanish for the Mother of this beautiful child, the Mom,
(with tears in her eyes and the signs of a hard life too) explained to me that he was age 8, but at birth there was some damage to his brain, leaving him developmentally stunted and with the mentality of a 3 year old; I directed her to the area he might better do well with, ages 4 – 7.
Now keep in mind that during my translation this beautiful child kept reaching out to me, grabbing for my hand, just to hold it, looking into my eyes quite intensely; I smiled back and kept shaking his hand.
On her way out the Mother thanked me again & again about how much she appreciated ALL that everyone had done and, thanking me for being so kind and, I gave the Boy another gift, a football, then the Boy motioned to me, to come closer, as if he had something to whisper in my ear, nope, a BIG smooch on MP’s bearded face is what I got with a BIG smile from him too; I think of him often and pray that he is doing well as too his family.
Look, it takes a lot to get me watery eyed, okay sometimes not so much, but I really got into gratitude after this segment in my journey of life and, I tell of this encounter still.
IT DOES NOT COST YOU ANYTHING TO BE NICE TO SOMEONE-​NOTHING, JUST DO IT!
Now, as for those 3 kids who wiped off your marked wrists as you exited and attempted to re-​enter and get more toys, COAL in your stockings and shame on you & your folks!
Really: