Christmas Joy
A time where we do what we can, where we are with what we have for some awesome ladies and their children.
We’ve hosted a Christmas Bash for the ladies and children of a local Women’s shelter for several years now and love it each time. Watching these kids grow up has been a huge blessing to my heart and seeing them a few times a year reminds me that all the work, the emails, the asking for donations is completely worth it.
Putting together this event is hard work, but it’s always done with great love. I’m thankful for the many many people that worked hard to make it possible and for the amazing financial donations that came through to bring Christmas to these kids.
We don’t get to select the toys, the food and drinks as we simply graciously receive what is given to us and turn right around, dress it up and pass it on with some fun and encouragement. This year was no different!
There were over 170 total people in attendance this year. The biggest we’ve ever had.
Everyone received a delicious meal from Olive Garden as well as the option of enjoying hot dogs, sloppy Joe’s, a wide variety of desserts, including gourmet cupcakes from Gigi’s of South Park and drinks. There was no shortage of food and everyone ate to their heart’s content.
We split the parents and children so that the shopping could begin. The excitement was high and soon the wrapping, laughter and fun would continue!
The kids shopped for 30 different candies! They were allowed to go through the shop twice and even received “extra” of some other candies! Their bags were HUGE when they finished! They heard the Christmas Story, about how Jesus came as a baby; the shepherds visited and worshiped Him. I love being able to share this with them as children can understand but also so that they can see that no matter what, children CAN make a difference and regardless of what kind of job you have, you matter. The shepherds were the lowliest but on that night; they were the first to see the miracle of Christmas.
We then treated the children to a board breaking demonstration. My son is a black belt in tae kwon do and connected the breaking with the fact that we have to trust God. We don’t know what is going to happen when we “try” but trusting God will get us through. The wood is pretty thick and he did three separate breaks. 1st break was with 1 piece of wood, 2nd was with 2 and then 3rd, using his elbow, was with 3 pieces of wood. The kids were thrilled and many of them have a reminder of this because Todd signed each piece of wood for them putting his life’s verse on there for them to be reminded that God already KNOWS what we need.
WHILE all of this was going on, the ladies were hearing some encouragement of their own, shopping, wrapping, laughing and hearing a few stories of my youth from my cousin.
We talked about what we are becoming and how we can’t always see it or realize it but we ARE becoming so much more than we ever realized.
After all of this was done and the presents were wrapped and securely bagged away, we allowed the kids to walk through and pick out a toy or 2. I love that they can have a small gift to take home with them. None of the children complained about what kind of toys we had and so many were bubbling over with joy and happiness and were giddy with delight. One little girl ran up to me and hugged me, exclaiming “Merry Christmas Ms. Marie!” I just hugged her and smile, fighting the tears, I whispered Merry Christmas!
Before allowing them to leave, I showed the mom’s the type of wood that was broken by banging it on the side of a pew. They have requested a board breaking demonstration for THEM next year! I hugged every single person as they were leaving, giving each child a pack of Reese’s Cups of their very own. They are always soooo thrilled to get these and I will always be delighted to give it to them.
We were also able to give each family a bag of food to take home with them too, which was very much needed as well as a gift bag for the mom’s.
I can’t thank everyone enough for the help that was given, the financial contributions that are made by our Monthly Donors as well as those that faithfully give for each even that we host.
Those that collected toys – you have no clue the impact on these hearts! Thank you!
Those that gave a financial gift – thank you for being a huge part of what we do and for continuing to support us!
Pastor Taylor and the members of New Grace – Thank you for helping, supporting us and for allowing us the use of your facility. Your prayers and support are a huge blessing.
Thank you Olive Garden for the amazing meal that you provided for us and to the others that donated food for this event!
For those that gave their time and used their voice, thank you!
Thank you for Spreading Joy and for how you care!
Please watch the video below and see the smiles that you gave! I pray your heart is flooded with great joy knowing that you are the reason these kids are having a better Christmas then they normally would have.
Thank you!
© 2012 – 2013, Spreading Joy. All rights reserved.
The best part of the event for me was watching the kids as they came into the room to pick out a couple of toys for themselves after the moms had already selected Christmas toys for them. Watching them sort through and pick out what they wanted was like watching a kid in a candy store – except they were kids in a free toy store.
thank you for being there this year again Michael!
I didn’t get to see the kids picking out the toys, but when they came into the room before leaving, they were waving them wildly, saying thank you and wishing me a Merry Christmas! The one little guy in the video with the playdough, he was sitting on it, rubbing it…smiling. I had to hold in the tears as i tried to capture that moment with my camera. He saw me and held up the box and smiled! my heart nearly burst!
thank you for how you help, pray and support what we do here at Spreading JOY!! you bless me so!
{{HUGS}}
Marie, I’am truly blessed to have a woman like you who puts these extraordinary events together. In as much as I got to help with as much as I could this year. It’s truly wonderful to bless those ladies and they’re blessed little children.
Thank you for your heart for spreading joy!
thank you Matthew! I’m so glad you were blessed by what you saw! I’m honored to have a part in spreading joy with you guys!
Marie
It’s seems, for me at least, that my favorite part of this event every year is the look of amazement and sincere thankfulness on the kids faces. A lot of work goes into these events and when you get to see the results of your work, it makes it all worth it! For me, the results of my work was seeing how happy these children were! They’re underprivileged children who even before getting these gifts were as happy and playful as they could be. One of the greatest things that you can learn in life is contentment and this reminded me to take a look at what I have and just thank God for how good he is to me! These kids blessed me in a way that I will never forget.
Not one child complained. I asked everyone. Even the older boys that I often wonder will they like the gifts, cause you guys are difficult to buy for anyway… but they were so thrilled again this year.
I love having some extra time to chat with them and hug them and steal a picture or 2 of them. Like you – THEY blessed me… and i’m better for it.
i love you son, thank you for being such a supportive part. i hope you can come and break boards for the kids AND the ladies again next year!!
I have the wonderful privilege of calling Marie of Spreading Joy my Cousin. I have supported her over our entire lives together and was elated when she told me that she was officially going to start Spreading Joy. Although I have been able to give toys and be a collection point for people to give toys for several years, this year was the first time I have been able to actually participate in the Christmas Joy event.
As I watched the ladies and their children come into the building, my eyes started to “sweat” to the point that I could no longer keep the moisture in my eye sockets. I had mixed emotions; emotions of humility because I was allowed to serve these families a meal and be a part of making their Christmas a bright one. The emotion of happiness by seeing all of the smiling faces of the kids and moms as they received the toys, food and other goodies that so many of you provided and lastly, the emotion of joyfulness by seeing the moms laugh as I told funny childhood stories about Marie.
As my mother-in-law and I were leaving to go home after the event, we looked at each other and both agreed that we will have to make this a part of our normal Christmas tradition and to get the rest of our family involved. My hope for those of you who is reading this comment is that you as well will make this a part of your Christmas tradition, a tradition of spreading joy to others.
Mike!!
I’m sooo glad you guys were able to come this year!! It is always very hectic but yet so joyful and amazing.
I’m honored that you gave up much of your day to be with us, especially during this busiest part of the year!!
Can’t wait for next year!!
love you
Absolutely amazing!!! I wish I could of been part of it this year. You know a dream of mine is to actually get a chance to join you face to face at a Christmas Joy event! 🙂
you just let me know when and we’ll get you here!
You were such a large part of it this year as well! you were able to get things donated, your prayers and inspiration! thank you for all you do, for how you care!
Watch out Marie ..170 this year .. God must have intentions to multiply this each year .. He has infinite JOY to spread and you are such a willing conduit for Him … it is unlikely that I will ever be present but I can literally feel the JOY and share in the happiness as I type this ..your heart must have been pumping out big time too as you felt the JOY that you spread to others Marie ..keep up this fantastic work …
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Thank you Geoff! even though you are not physically here, I know your prayers and support are such a HUGE part of what we do! I’m thankful for you!
Marie:
Your events are always wonderful to volunteer at. You are always so well organized and you make everyone feel very special. You truly do spread joy to all the lives you touch!
So glad to be a part of Spreading Joy with you 🙂
Thanks Bridget!
YOU and your girls are always such a pleasure to work with! You guys bring great joy with you! Thank you for always stepping up, stepping in and for the support you give.
I’m thankful for you!
coffee soon… i promise!
Marie, thank you for sharing. What a wonderful gift you gave to the mothers and children. Spreading Joy is a wonderful purpose in life. Keep doing what God has purposed you to do.
Thank you Sheila! I pray that as you continue to make a difference with what you have right where you are that your heart will be flooded with great joy!
Keep smiling, keep going, keep making a difference!
@spreadingJOY
There is nothing like you Marie! I loved helping and crafting is my relax time. Thank each of you for all you do!! The most perfect and precious things come from above! There’s nothing like happiness in the eyes of a pure heart…that of a child. I’m ready for next year. I am already crafting away. Again thank you for allowing me to be a part of Spreading Joy.
thank you Jodi! they all looooved the ice cream cones with JOY on them! such a blessing! thank you for how you help spread the word, how you encourage and for being YOU!!
love ya
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