A Christmas Story of Giving

Editor’s note: Member Trina Sonnenberg sent this heartwarming, true story to Rick Beneteau to use in the 9th campaign for his annual toy drive in conjunction with the official Toys for Tots program.  Her wish is that if you like her story, to visit the Internet Toy Drive website and put a smile on the face of a needy child this Christmas Day.

Oh, about seventeen years ago, I was spending Christmas as a newly divorced, single mother. I was 26 years old and my son was three. I worked two jobs, just to afford to live in a housing project, in a very scary neighborhood. I had no Christmas tree, I had no money, I had no gifts for my little boy. Not one! Talk about depressing…

Thank God for the U.S. Marine Corps. and a very special friend with a very special family.

That year I stood in line for several hours, waiting to pick out a gift for my son. I was not in a mall or toy store - I was in a public library, standing in line to receive a gift from Toys for Tots. I was happy to stand there, no matter how long it might take.

I met some terrific people in that line. I heard stories of divorce, of unemployment, and of poverty, but everyone I spoke with was happy. No one seemed to be willing to let their financial circumstances ruin the season for them. Having walked in their, feeling wretched, I left feeling on top of the world.

When I got home, I pulled a letter out of the mailbox, sent from a long time friend and mentor. Inside the envelope was a letter and another, smaller envelope. The smaller envelope contained a check and $200 Toys R Us, Jeffrey dollars. The letter explained that every year, rather than buying gifts for each other, they pool their money and send it to someone who needs it. She knew I’d gotten divorced, and what I was going through at that point in time, so that year, her family chose me.

The whole thing brought me to tears. It also brought me to my knees in thanks. Just as I was drying my eyes, a knock came on the door. The guy I’d been dating was standing in the hallway, with a plastic Christmas tree he’d found discarded. I then realized that just when I thought I had nothing, I had everything. I had people who cared about me. I had toys for my little boy, and a Christmas tree to put them under. Everything I had, I had because people cared about me.

Christmas is about giving. The people that I met that day gave me a new attitude; they taught me something. They shared their cheer with me, and accepted me even though they didn’t know me. The Toys for Tots donors gave me a gift to give my son, and the volunteers gave me their time, to see that I got that gift. My friend and her family gave me their love. Instead of giving to each other, they gave to my boy and me.

Christmas isn’t about who can rack up the highest credit card bill; it’s about making someone else happy. And gifts of yourself mean more and are remembered longer than anything you can get from a store.

Trina L.C. Sonnenberg is an author, mother and supporter of Children’s charities. She is also an advocate for domestic violence victims. www.trinaschiller.ws