“Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.”
Kevin Cullen is a writer for the Boston Globe (or Boston.com) and he is a friend of a friend. I met him once and we had lunch in South Boston at an Irish bar which makes sense as Kevin is very proud of his Irish heritage and writes often about the trials and tribulations here and abroad. I gained immediate respect for him before meeting him as I read his columns and saw how he challenged various injustices and people who violated ethics, morals and laws whether it were hypocritical politicians or criminals like Whitey Bulger. Kevin also has a soft side as every year at this time he writes about “Christmas in the City” to bring attention to a great cause. (Click Here) to see this column as well as to find out how you can bring a smile to a child this holiday season.
I remember writing a similar entry last year and went on-line to make my donation. It was quick and easy and I spent about $30 on an item. I don’t even remember what it was but I do remember struggling with selecting either something educational like a learning game or something fun like a straight up toy. This year, I am going to get my sons involved and share Kevin’s story and see if I can turn this into a teachable moment and I invite you to do the same if you have children. I am going to ask my boys to each give up one Christmas gift/request this year and offer that gift to a child who may not be getting any presents. If I know my youngest son Tyler, he will immediately bolt and find a toy he has not played with in years and offer that up. Not bad but not really a lesson now is it?
I may even alter my approach and ask them to use their own money to purchase something as they often get cash and checks from relatives not to mention the fact that these two have more cash tucked away in their rooms than I usually carry at anytime. Another teachable moment and do I expect them to readily offer up the money, of course not, they are 12 and 10 years old. But I know my boys and they are both very caring despite the shelter my wife and I give them from the confusing world we live in. They have both volunteered at a soup kitchen and have seen first hand how lucky they are and the challenges other families face. In the end, I will pay for the toys but they won’t know that until after they made their Choice and they will still get the same amount of presents this year.
The link to Kevin’s article provides and easy way to donate to this event and I hope you will consider it and also include your children. Thank you Kevin, Jake Kennedy and your crew for making the Choices you do to help others. Our opening quote from Charles Schulz (ah – who didn’t love Charlie Brown and his tree which resembles ours this year; but we love it even more every time we look at it) says it all.
“Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.”
Kevin Cullen is a writer for the Boston Globe (or Boston.com) and he is a friend of a friend. I met him once and we had lunch in South Boston at an Irish bar which makes sense as Kevin is very proud of his Irish heritage and writes often about the trials and tribulations here and abroad. I gained immediate respect for him before meeting him as I read his columns and saw how he challenged various injustices and people who violated ethics, morals and laws whether it were hypocritical politicians or criminals like Whitey Bulger. Kevin also has a soft side as every year at this time he writes about “Christmas in the City” to bring attention to a great cause. (Click Here) to see this column as well as to find out how you can bring a smile to a child this holiday season.
I remember writing a similar entry last year and went on-line to make my donation. It was quick and easy and I spent about $30 on an item. I don’t even remember what it was but I do remember struggling with selecting either something educational like a learning game or something fun like a straight up toy. This year, I am going to get my sons involved and share Kevin’s story and see if I can turn this into a teachable moment and I invite you to do the same if you have children. I am going to ask my boys to each give up one Christmas gift/request this year and offer that gift to a child who may not be getting any presents. If I know my youngest son Tyler, he will immediately bolt and find a toy he has not played with in years and offer that up. Not bad but not really a lesson now is it?
I may even alter my approach and ask them to use their own money to purchase something as they often get cash and checks from relatives not to mention the fact that these two have more cash tucked away in their rooms than I usually carry at anytime. Another teachable moment and do I expect them to readily offer up the money, of course not, they are 12 and 10 years old. But I know my boys and they are both very caring despite the shelter my wife and I give them from the confusing world we live in. They have both volunteered at a soup kitchen and have seen first hand how lucky they are and the challenges other families face. In the end, I will pay for the toys but they won’t know that until after they made their Choice and they will still get the same amount of presents this year.
The link to Kevin’s article provides and easy way to donate to this event and I hope you will consider it and also include your children. Thank you Kevin, Jake Kennedy and your crew for making the Choices you do to help others. Our opening quote from Charles Schulz (ah – who didn’t love Charlie Brown and his tree which resembles ours this year; but we love it even more every time we look at it) says it all.
