Giving a Joyful and Hopeful Christmas

            This afternoon my youth group and I went shopping for a family in need. Through HACAP, a program called “Adopt-a-family,” we received a family that included a mom, dad, a seven year old girl, and a seven month old baby girl. Since I wasn’t in Student Government this trimester, I wasn’t able to do adopt-a-family with them, so it was rewarding to have the chance to do this, and it was more personal too.

            Before we went shopping at Walmart, we went to the Christian bookstore and bought a book for each child about the Christmas story. It was nice to give them something simple that would remind them of the love Jesus has for them. We split into three different shopping groups, one for the baby, one for the seven year old, and another for the parents. They had given us a list of some things that they wanted and sizes so we could appropriately buy for them. The parents wanted food, cleaning supplies, and other assorted home products such as toilet paper and Clorox wipes. The baby was size 6-9 months in clothes, size 3 in diapers, and we also knew that she was teething. The 7 year old liked board games a lot and wanted clothes. My group was the baby which was super fun because baby clothes are precious. We got her diapers and baby wipes because those are essential and also pricey. We picked out a butterfly rattle teething toy that you could also freeze if in a lot of pain. Then we picked out two outfits: the first was a set that came with pink leggings, a polka dot onesie, and teal shirt with a monkey on it. The second was a pink, purple, and teal plaid skirt with light pink leggings attached, a purple shirt to match, and then a pink fleece jacket to layer or for extra warmth. For the 7 year old, the picked out Candyland, a Crayola drawing board, and an outfit that you could mix and match.

            We wrapped the presents for the baby and seven year old, and then drove to their house to deliver the gifts and food. We got to meet the girls, and they were both so cute and happy. The parents were really grateful, and it was just so rewarding to see their faces light up and give them some Christmas cheer. It’s amazing to give someone a better Christmas and happiness, and be able to help families out.  (416)