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Please Help Us Find the Christmas Spirit
By Christine M. Chamberlain, Torrington
Over a month ago, our family was discussing what we could do to assist people in our local community during the upcoming holiday season. It was suggested that somehow canned goods could be collected for the Friendly Hands Food Bank, as our children had noticed in the headlines and heard on the news that there were many shortages of canned goods and non-perishable food items in food banks across the region. Our children recently turned ages 10 and 9, and are in the 5th and 4th grades.
They wrote letters to Torrington Mayor Owen J. Quinn, suggesting that these goods be collected during the tree-lighting ceremony in front of City Hall (which was held on Friday, December 6). The Mayor's office telephoned and stated that the Mayor approved of the idea and that a box would be set up the evening of the tree lighting. We were asked if the children would be able to "man the box," and we said that they would.
The tree lighting was postponed because of snow from its original date of November 29. A press release was issued about the tree lighting, and it mentioned that the children would be collecting the canned goods.
Our children were enthusiastic about being able to help people. "No one should go hungry, especially around the holidays," they told me. We went over certain protocol, and reminded them to say "thank you" when someone donated a canned good. Our goal as parents to remind our children that Christmas is a time for peace and serving your fellow man was being achieved. Since they have been old enough to understand this, they have been very giving, especially around the holidays. Today our daughter said, "Don't forget the toy for the stuff-a-bus, Mommy," as we walked into a local store that had the stuff-a-bus located outside. She picked out a toy for the bus while we were there, and delivered it herself to the bus.
We, as a family, went to the tree lighting. Mayor Quinn welcomed the residents of Torrington to the ceremony. Several political persons in the audience were recognized and other scheduled parts of the ceremony were announced. Our children's letters to him were mentioned, and the Mayor said he was very pleased with them and then announced to the crowd where the box for the canned goods and non-perishable food items was located; it was even marked as such and wrapped in holiday paper.
The children waited with anticipation for people to donate something. Anything. They waited all evening. Carols were sung; the countdown to the tree lighting was followed by the "oohs and ahhs." Still, the children waited.
As a parent my discomfort was welling, as I imagined what they were thinking, feeling. I rehearsed what I would say to comfort them after the ceremony. We and the children's grandmother donated canned goods ourselves; however, they were the only ones in the box at the end of the ceremony.
I expected the children to perhaps cry, to question why this happened. Instead, they were silent. Their faces spoke volumes. The Mayor graciously invited them to his office after the ceremony, as busy as he was, with the Christmas Village Toy Shower happening simultaneously across the street. He remarked on how it was wonderful that they had an idea, wrote it down, and presented it to the appropriate person. He also commented that they had correctly addressed him as "The Honorable Mayor Owen J. Quinn." He even took time for a few photographs, which we appreciated.
We tried to tell them that they did their part and the Mayor did his. For some reason, no one in the crowd did. Not one. Even if someone did not have a canned good, a quarter to give to the Food Bank would have been appreciated, just so the children would not have thought their efforts in vain. We took the children to the Christmas Village Toy Shower and what did they do? They each gave a dollar. They don't hesitate to give. We tried to lighten their moods as Mrs. Claus arrived. Santa's candy canes helped, briefly. We had another event to attend at our church, and then we went home; still, they were silent.
Today, they started asking why. Especially our son. He keeps thinking he did something wrong. Didn't they see the box? Didn't they hear the Mayor, or read the press release? What lesson can I, as a parent, teach them about this?
Sometimes it seems as though children are not seen. But they see. What impressions are we giving them? It's fun to "ooh and ahh" at the Christmas lights and crowd around Santa for gifts. However, the box for our local needy, hungry citizens waited for the real Christmas spirit. Was it there that night? It was at the Toy Shower, which was wonderful. I commend all involved in that worthwhile cause.
Children are innocent for a brief while during their lives, and pure of heart in wanting to help others and alleviate pain. Our children feel that their mission was not accomplished. Being pro-active, I told them that I would write a letter, this time. I also told them that I would again make their idea of donating to the Friendly Hands Food Bank known.
For a child expecting a Christmas gift from Santa not to receive one on Christmas morning is heart-breaking. To watch a child wanting to give a gift to someone and being unable to so is also a most unpleasant experience.
If you read this letter and were there that night, or even if you weren't there, could you please donate at least one can, 25 cents, or anything you can spare to the Friendly Hands Food Bank? We also were made aware that there are 200 children in need of toys this year, and the Food Bank is collecting for them, as well. If everyone does whatever they can, then our children will feel that their mission is accomplished. Merry Christmas.
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