Follow Me To ... The North Pole (#25)

A Wider Circle, supported by Giving Together

What jewish girl wouldn't want the chance to be a Christmas Elf for a day?  I was surely grateful to have the opportunity!  Today, I wrapped Christmas presents for clients of A Wider Circle who were able to shop for books, toys, decorations, and stocking stuffers in a place that rivaled Santa's workshop.  Elves were abound to help pick out just the right gift and bring them to the North Pole (a small loft in the warehouse) for gift wrapping.

Members of Giving Together, a giving circle comprised of like-minded women who pool funds to allocate grants and volunteer time to serve low-income women and children, staffed this event today at A Wider Circle in Silver Spring. My mom has long been a member of GT and included me in the festivities today.  A Wider Circle, as many of you are familiar is an organizations that helps people rise out of poverty.  They help with job development, health support, and is most well-known for their Neighbor-to-Neighbor Program that provides beds and other household furnishings to families transitioning out of shelters, escaping domestic violence, or otherwise living without their basic need items.  They serve over 4,000 families a year.  Today, was a perfect pairing of two amazing organizations working to brighten the holidays for families in need...

Though my wrapping skills aren't quite up to snuff, I very much enjoyed working with the GT elves today.  One has been a lifelong family friend and others felt like new friends quickly.  I hope to join these wonderful ladies again soon.  Thank you for having me!

My Takeaway:  Donations should always look like true gifts, not someone's unwanted things!  Every parent wants to be able to give their children something nice, especially for the holidays.  Even when they can't afford to buy gifts, it is nice to accept donations in a dignified and personal manner as was the case here today at AWC with GT.  Gifts were presented on tables nicely in a decorated and festive room.  Elves gathered gifts in dark bags so that children who might be waiting in the lobby couldn't see.  The gifts were then wrapped, bowed, and labeled with names the way they ought to be.  There were only true gifts here today