Christmas family update

I just wanted to let everyone know that I delivered the Christmas money to our Christmas family.

I actually made up a story and picked up the 6 year old and took her shopping. I let her pick out a gift for both parents and her baby brother. She was very happy to be able to do this. She was so excited to be able to go home and wrap her gifts and put them under the tree, which up until that point had no presents under it.

Then I pulled the mom to the side and handed her the rest of the cash. Originally I was going to use all of the money for food, gifts and other needed items. But, earlier last week as the mother was driving home from work she was involved in a car wreck. Her tie-rod?, broke and caused her to lose control of her car and crash into a parked vehicle. Anyway, she was ok, and the kids were not with her, thank-goodness. I figured at this time, the cash would be more beneficial then a bunch of gifts, and I was assured that the kids have a few gifts so they will not have a gift-less Christmas.

As I handed the mother the card, which was heaping with money, (we earned $500, and I only spent $120.) She looked down in disbelief. She said this is a mistake, this cannot be for me. I explained what we had done, as a group effort, and how every year we support the Stone Soup effort in order to help someone in need for Christmas. As tears welled in her eyes and her hands shaking, she could barely get out any words. She was astounded that we as a group would come together to help a stranger. She could barely get out a Thank-you between her sobs and her tears. I explained that her reaction was enough, and that Thank you was not needed.

As we go through our Christmas traditions this year. Please keep in your hearts, that each and every person that contributed in any way to this years Stone Soup, please know that you are very much appreciated for your generosity. One small contribution that may be meaningless to you and I is so beneficial for someone in need. Remember as you celebrate with your loved ones in a couple days that we have made a difference in someone’s life. ....Kim Braswell