My co-worker has no money to buy gifts for her kids

[malta blue]

:cry:

I just found out that my co-worker has no money to buy gifts for her 3 daughters. Her youngest one said "I think Santa is going to skip me this year". :cry:

I rallied the masses in our department and managed to round up $150 in cash and a $50 gift certificate to a local grocery store.

I am going to go shopping for her little one tonight.

Hey, it is the least one can do.

[ceile]

1. Don't know what to say....

You and your coworkers did a good thing. I keep hearing more and more stories like this. It's heartbreaking. :cry:

[malta blue]

3. It truly is heartbreaking.

My daughter is friends with her little one, so I am going to see if she will donate some of her gifts over to her friend as well. I am sure she will, she has such a good little heart.

[Midlodemocrat]

2. I HATE stories like this. It breaks my heart.

Do you have a paypal address? I can send you some additional $$$$

You're a good person for doing this. :hug:

[malta blue]

4. Thanks Midlo

No paypal, but wow! Your heart is surely in the right place. I just found out that someone donate another $100. This is so great, her kids are 16, 14 and 7, and it is hard to buy for the teens, but with that money, she can at least get them some clothes.

:hug: for your offer...

[Midlodemocrat]

5. You know, I have a 16yo daughter and I got a lot of

little gifty stuff for her stocking at the dollar store. Lot of bang for your buck, there.

If you have a TJ Maxx in the area, they often have tons of really nice designer names for very little money. I learned that the hard way after spending full price at American Eagle. :eyes:

[malta blue]

6. Great Idea....I will hit

the dollar store after buying the little one's gifts.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

112. TJ Maxx has American Eagle stuff????

:bounce: :bounce:

[amitten]

7. Thank you for your kindness.

They won't forget it.

[malta blue]

11. I just invited her over for Christmas dinner too.

Like I said, she is not only a co-worker but a friend too. She is just so proud, I didn't know until today that she was so strapped.

[benny05]

66. This is the thing to do

A friend of mine is a "Red Hat" lady. Her group is more socially conscious than most Red Hatters. Last year, they brought a single mom and her two kids presents (kids some clothes, mom a gift certif) as the mom was a waitress by trade and she couldn't buy her kids presents.

[MrCoffee]

8. you are doing a wonderful thing

:applause:

[malta blue]

12. Thanks

I cried when I found out....she doesn't suspect a thing either.

[redqueen]

9. Bless you!

And your coworkers, too!

:loveya:

That's what it's all about... helpin' each other out. :grouphug:

[malta blue]

14. Must maintain good Karma

somehow....JK.

[LynneSin]

10. I think the one thing that gets me out of my Xmas blues

is when I go shopping for 'Toys for Tots' program at work. I just feel Xmas is too commericialized but I still feel that no kid should go without. There is a K-mart near where I worked and bought mainly games for various age groups

[malta blue]

16. Tell me about it.

My little one saw so many commercials on TV and was bombarded by so much she ended up asking for an freaking XBOX!:wow:

Needless to say, that is not happening, in fact, I am going to ask her to forfeit some of her toys to give to my friend.

[Patiod]

46. Bought two adorable dolls at Target

A "Bratz Kid" and a Disney "Fairy". I just figured two little girls will get a kick out of them.

Both were of indeterminant race, which was cool (we used to take care of a little girl whose father was Indonesian, and it made me realize the importance of non-blond dolls). And neither was dressed like a hooker (not an easy find among the Bratz)

I'm sure games or craft kits would have been healthier, but I just thought these dolls were adorable

[miss_american_pie]

13. That is very kind of you

:hug:

[malta blue]

20. Thanks M_A_P

I just had to do SOMEthing.

[chaska]

15. Things are rough out there... (story below)

and have been for awhile.

I had a coworker (pronounced cow-orker) once tell me, when I said he could go to lunch and I'd go after, that he wouldn't be going to lunch, he didn't have any money. After a bit of conversation on the matter, he told me that he hadn't eaten for three days. He was stretched that thin. I wasn't much better off but I gave him a ten.

[malta blue]

17. WOW

You just never know....people are just so proud sometimes.
Good for you Chaska!:hug:

[ikojo]

18. You are most kind to do this for your friend and

co-worker...:hug:


If she, and others in her predicament, is strapped now then she is also strapped year round. I think many Americans tend to think poverty exists only on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

[malta blue]

21. I know she is usually strapped

and I regularly buy her lunch, invite her and her kids over for dinner, etc. It just never really dawned on me that she had NOTHING to buy gifts with. And her "baby daddy"...don't get me started...what a F***ing loser he is.:banghead: :banghead: :mad:

[DixieBlue]

19. That is such a thoughtful, wonderful

thing for you to have done.

[malta blue]

22. Thanks DixieBlue

I can't imagine her kids (especially the 7y/o) not having any gifts.

[Book Lover]

23. Um, why not

just give the woman the money so she can buy her children their gifts? I think what you are doing is wonderful, yes, but as a mom in that woman's situation this year, I would rather go through as much of the facade that I brought their gifts to them as possible, which would include buying them myself. Maybe my judgment is clouded, and I am certainly not your co-worker, so she may have a very different reaction. Just my thoughts...

[malta blue]

24. Well we are giving her the money tomorrow.

I am just using some more of my own to buy some gifts for her youngest.

[Book Lover]

26. Oh!

I totally misunderstood your post - my apologies. Again, I think what you are doing is kind, generous and truly in the spirit of the season.

[malta blue]

28. No problem.

I agree with what you said, that is why we are giving her the money....and I, too, have been there. Thankfully I only have one child....

[LeftyMom]

25. That's wonderful of you.

If you have a Mervyns near you, they have Seven jeans, which are normally very expensive and would impress any brand-obsessed teenage classmates, for about $30. Kohls also has a lot of clothes teenagers like for cheap, as do Ross and Marshalls.

If you need any help picking out a toy for the youngest, LMK, I work in a toy store so I'm pretty good at thinking of something good.

[malta blue]

27. Thanks for the tips....

We are actually giving her the money so she can buy the older ones' clothees herself, and since her youngest is the same age as my daughter, she and I will go shopping tonight to pick things out for the little one. So far we are getting Yatzee, Trouble, a Nintendo DS game cartridge, and a bead jewelry kit. What do you think?

[SeattleGirl]

29. Good for you, malta.

What a kind thing you and your co-workers are doing. :hug:

[malta blue]

30. The thing is we participate in the

adopt-a-family every year, never realizing that there was a family within our own that needed help.

[1gobluedem]

31. What a wonderful thing you're doing

This act is what the season is truly all about.

[malta blue]

32. It truly is.

And I feel so good right now. She has no idea this is coming tomorrow.

[1gobluedem]

33. If you need help from other DUers

Please PM me with an address. I'm happy to help.

[malta blue]

34. That is very generous!

We rounded up close to $300 in cash and a $50 gift certificate to the local grocery. I have an extra $60 from others to buy her youngest some Santa gifts.

We are in great shape right now. Thanks so much for your offer!

[malta blue]

35. UPDATE

We raised $500 here at work.:bounce: :bounce:

[SeattleGirl]

38. Oh my!! That is fabulous!!!!

I just got goosebumps. Bless you and your co-workers! :toast:

[malta blue]

39. I have no words to really express

how happy I am and how proud I am that my co-workers stepped up to this plate.

Our company adopted 15 families this year, and this is so last minute, I can't believe people had to much to give. I had people give me their lunch money!

[SeattleGirl]

40. Truly a generous group of people.

:toast:

[Sequoia]

49. Are you sure you're not Santa?!

[malta blue]

60. LOL

:rofl:

I feel like it. I just gor back from the store and wrapped the toys for her youngest. I picked up some tops for the oldest and PJs for the middle girl. My friend had mentioned they were in need of that. Together with the gifts I bought, we are presenting her with $500 tomorrow!

[Sequoia]

64. Most excellent!

[Sequoia]

36. You're wonderful!

[malta blue]

37. Thanks

I am so happy right now!:bounce:

[tigereye]

41. you are wonderful!

there also are Toys for Tots-type places/agencies that offer gifts or gift certificates. No kid should be without toys and gifts (or food for that matter) for Christmas.

[malta blue]

42. I can't believe how generous everyone has been

I can't wait to see her face tomorrow. Someone even donated a tree!

[1gobluedem]

43. Outstanding!

Kind of reaffirms your faith in the human race, doesn't it?

[buddhamama]

44. Thank you...

and your co-workers for the act of kindness and charity.

Many Blessings to all of you! Peace. :hug: :hug: :hug:

[malta blue]

62. Thanks Buddhamama

:hug:

[redwitch]

45. I am delivering Christmas tonight to a family in dire straits

4 little girls 1-7, dad got laid off 3 weeks ago, mom undergoing chemo for breast cancer at 29. I know they have lots of food from a local organization so I shopped for clothes and toys and girlie things. I hate that they are having such a hard time, but I loved shopping for the little girls- I have 2 teenage boys.

It made my Christmas special this year, and I intend to keep tabs to see what I can do after the holidays.


(I bought the gifts myself as I know she is not feeling great, but I am including cash so they can add a more personal touch. )

"For it is at Christmas time that want is most keenly felt and abundance rejoices" Charles Dickens

[malta blue]

63. It really does feel good, doesn't it!

I don't think I have felt this good about Christmas in a long time!

[redwitch]

65. me too.

But what is it with companies laying off just before the holidays? Bah humbug!

[Avalux]

47. Thank you for helping your coworker in a time of need.

I've been there; wasn't lucky enough to have someone like you. :hug:

[u4ic]

48. Yours is the true spirit of Christmas

Your generousity will mean more to a family than you will ever know. :hug:

[Crabby Appleton]

50. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

[Mrs. Venation]

51. Bertha and I Know How You Feel

We have our yard work done by a local man, John. Two years ago John's wife decided she didn't want to be married to him, and tossed him out. There's a long and painful story that has played out during this time, but, earlier this year John got custody of his two children.

John is such a good man. Bertha and I think of him like a brother. So, this year we decided that instead of spending money on ourselves we would help John. Yesterday he stopped by after I called him up and said, "hey, John, stop by."

Bertha had found a wonderful Christmas card for his kids. Inside was a gift card for $250. When I told John what was there, he cried. He said, "Mrs. V, both of my kids need new winter coats, and I couldn't afford to buy them. Now they'll get new coats and get toys, too." Then John gave me a big hug. I told Bertha that I got exactly what I wanted for Christmas; I got a hug from John.

I think this might just be one of the best Christmas seasons I've ever had. I cannot express the utter joy I received from this.

[malta blue]

58. What a great story Mrs. V!

[ps1074]

106. .

:hug:

[Mrs. Venation]

110. Thank You

Hugs are always appreciated!

:hug:

[SKKY]

Having been the recipient of one of those gifts you're going to buy...

...You have no idea how much it will mean to have Santa not skip her this year. I hope the mom takes care of you
and finds some way to make up the gesture.

[malta blue]

59. Mom doesn't need tp do anything other than

be herself. I am quite fond of her, we share a cubicle wall in the cube maze. She makes me laugh at least twice a day, and for that, I am truly grateful.

I am glad we were able to pull something together for her.

[WindRavenX]

52. bless your kind heart

:hug:

[leftofthedial]

53. if it weren't for the support of my family

There'd be no Christmas at my house this year.

[xmas74]

54. We're in the same boat.

I'm making less and less every year and this year the expenses were even worse than usual.

I have a couple of coworkers picking up Christmas baskets this year and one of them has been sponsored by a church. Times are tough all over.

[leftofthedial]

55. happy holidays!

enjoy your family and friends

they are the real treasures

[xmas74]

57. We have our moments

but they are the best reason to celebrate the holidays.

[acmavm]

88. Same here.

[LA lady]

56. Mention what you are doing in the store

I usually try to get 3-4 "Angels" off the angel tree. I don't get the ones requesting bikes (businesses usually adopt those) but I pick the ones that want clothes. When I go into stores, I tell them what I am doing and show them the lists and they almost always come through with an extra markdown or some sale items that are tucked away. I had a shoe store give me several pairs of shoes.

It makes my Christmas.

[malta blue]

61. You know, I was talking to my daughter in the store

and a stranger handed me some money. She said she heard me talking and wanted to help out!

[SeattleGirl]

113. Wow!

Wonderful woman!

[Shine]

67. Bless your heart.

:hug:
what goes around, comes around, my friend.

Good on ya! :hi:

[yellowdogintexas]

68. wonderful! Our Sunday School class adopts families every year

This year we did Christmas for 9 families, I think. We have a huge fundraiser every year and then allocate the money so we know what we can do.

Kudos to you, your daughter and your co workers!!!

[pitohui]

69. wait... a co-worker?

so she has the same job you have but she needs your money?

i'm the only one who sees a problem w. this picture?

i think you're being scammed honestly, but you obviously have a way bigger heart than i do

i just wonder what the children are being taught, when i was in high school, my neighbors were expert scammers at getting $$$ from the churches, finally, another neighbor grew suspicious and hired an investigator who discovered this "broke" family had $50K in the bank, an unheard of sum in those days

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

71. Why in the world would you assume such a thing?

The job might pay enough to support a single person or someone with an employed spouse, but this woman has several kids and there's apparently no husband. There may be other debts as well. If the OP and the other co-workers know this woman fairly well, as they seem to, I would suppose they feel reasonably sure they're not being scammed. What a mean-spirited thing to assume -- I think most people would rather risk being scammed than turn their backs on someone who really needs help, and I think it's a wonderful, kind thing the OP has done.

[malta blue]

75. Thanks. eom

[pitohui]

90. i think both things can be true

it's easier to scam a wonderful, kind, caring person than a shithead obviously

having the child come around and make a comment about having no santa this year, that just sounds a manipulative bell to me

i think most people would rather have their limited funds go where it could do the most good, in a world of infinite resources, it would be fine to say, "oh i'd rather risk being scammed than not help someone who really needs it," in a world of finite resources and esp. where BOTH people involved are co-workers at the same shit paying job then one might be wise to be a little more cautious -- every dollar wasted on a scam is a dollar that will not go to help someone in true need or to help oneself in time of crisis

but what is done is done, of course, at this point i can only hope i am wrong

[malta blue]

93. Wow. I find your cynicism almost offensive.

I only know that at this point you are wrong.

I also know that she did not set her kid up to be manipulative. I know these people quite well.

Have a happy holiday!

[pitohui]

98. some call it cynicism, some call it good parenting

would you, honestly, want or allow YOUR child to go to a co-worker and say, "santa is going to skip us this year"

i don't think so

[malta blue]

100. See my post #99

[Shakespeare]

102. Well, you usually are. Wrong, that is. n/t

[malta blue]

74. I don't have a "high paying" job.

I also have a husband who brings home an income twice that of mine, and only one child to support. She is a single mother with THREE kids to support.

I promise you, I am not being scammed.

[pitohui]

96. ok, cool -- i'll tell you my problem w. the original post

the bit about having the child come around and say that "santa is going to skip me this year" that really was the kind of manipulative crap that my neighbors were pulling to bring in the $$$ and the other goodies

so it really rang a negative bell w. me

what YOU are doing is kind, what the mother may be teaching is something else, in my family it simply was NOT permitted for us kids to ever mention financial problems to outsiders, so that's where i'm coming from, i don't think teaching a kid to be an angle shooter is a good thing -- but that is neither your fault nor your responsibility, that's on the mother

my own mother would have knocked me into the next county if i had said such a thing and then the person hearing it had given us money or goodies!

[malta blue]

99. Fair enough

I don't believe in mentioning financial hardships to others, but the kid said it to me as a friend. I socialize with them. I am not really a stranger. I just didn't know she was in such a bad place.

Thanks for your input though

[Shakespeare]

101. Wow. You jump to a stunning number of conclusions there.

Nowhere did malta say the child went around the office proclaiming this. :eyes:

Given what I've gone through personally the last couple of years, I can assure you from my experience that it's quite possible to have a stable job and not have the money to go Christmas shopping. People have all manner of personal crises that deplete any disposable income they might have.

You're WAY too fucking harsh.

[malta blue]

103. ...

:hug:
thanks

[Shakespeare]

107. You are very welcome. You've gone a good, good thing.

Have a wonderful holiday!! :hug:

[Phillycat]

91. You are truly the most negative person I've ever encountered.

Blergh.

[pitohui]

92. i try EOM

.

[malta blue]

94. Killing me...

[ET Awful]

108. Let me give you an example . . .

I'm single, have a small amount of debt, and I'm an IT Administrator for the company I work for. I make pretty decent money, plenty for me to live on, and I have no dependents. I have co-workers who work as file clerks, make under $10.00 an hour and have 4 kids.

So tell me, how do you reach the conclusion that because someone works at the same place, they can't possibly be in worse financial shape?

[NC_Nurse]

70. I think it's wonderful what you're doing for them.

Bless you. :hug:

[bullwinkle428]

72. You are an absolutely wonderful person for doing this...I know

that she will be touched beyond words by the gesture of you and your co-workers... :hug:

[malta blue]

73. We just gave her the tree and she started crying.

Little does she know that there are gift cards for everything from gasoline to groceries to gifts, totalling $550 waiting for her later this afternoon!
:bounce:

[Mrs. Venation]

76. Malta, You and Your Colleagues

are wonderful people! I know the joy of giving is indescribable, and you all will be richly blessed because of your kindness.

Blessings to all.

Mrs. V.

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

[malta blue]

79. Thanks Mrs. V!

:grouphug:

[LaurenG]

78. I am sitting here at work crying while reading this

Good job malta blue, please let us know what happens after she gets the rest of the stuff you guys got for her. :loveya: :hug:

[malta blue]

81. I certainly will!

:hug:

[cwydro]

80. What a great Christmas story!

You've made her family's Christmas wonderful and everyone else's as well. Wish I could be there to see her face. You and your coworkers ROCK!

[malta blue]

83. Thanks

:hug:

[bullwinkle428]

89. You've totally made my day with this story...I'm actually here feeling

emotional just sitting here reading it at work! :hug: :hug: :hug:

[BluePatriot]

77. That was very kind of you. :)

[malta blue]

85. I am just waiting and waiting to give it to her...eom

[ET Awful]

82. Thank you. You're an extremely wonderful person.

I've been in a bit of a Christmas funk, like I am every year, when I get extremely tired of the commercialism, greed and overall ill-will I see every Christmas.

You've gone a long way towards restoring my faith, if not in any religion, at least in good-will towards men (or women or kids or whatever).

Thank you.

And Merry Christmas.

[malta blue]

84. ET Awful

I was feeling the same way. I did all my shopping online and have been done for about a month just to avoid dealing with all the commercialism.

I feel so good right now, I could bust!:loveya:

And Merry Christmas to you too!:hug:

[lizziegrace]

86. As someone who's been on the receiving end of such kindness

:hug:

as good as you feel, the recipient feels even better, if that's even possible.

:)

[malta blue]

87. I sure hope so!

She certainly deserves it!:)

[malta blue]

95. UPDATE

We just gave her the gifts. She got $700 in gift cards and two boxes of wrapped gifts for her and her girls.
:bounce:

She is so happy she can't stop crying and giving thanks.:bounce:

[BluePatriot]

104. Yay! That is great.

[GardeningGal]

111. That is so great.

Good for you and all your co-workers for doing this.

[havocmom]

97. As wonderful a gift the material thing is, you have given her an even better one...

the knowledge that people think enough of her to make the gift at all, proof that she does matter.

For those who are in need, too often there is also a lack of hope or belief that things will ever change. A small, unexpected bounty can bring more than the givers ever knew.

Been on the receiving end of gracious and timely gifts from others. Know the impact can actually be a life-long change of how one thinks. It can restore the ability to hope, and with hope, we tend to try more and harder. That can bring about REAL change in a life.

Let your co-workers know that some of us who have been there, benefited beyond the original intent of the givers. Like that old adage: 'Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. TEACH him to fish, feed him for a lifetime' sharing love and genuine concern can teach a skill to one who needs to have faith in life.

Bless you and your pals who did this.

Go outside late at night and see if the stars don't look a little brighter to you. ;)

[malta blue]

105. Thanks.

I will spend some extra time outside tonight. My heart already feels fuller.:loveya:

[rbnyc]

109. Thank you.

Thanks for stepping up and doing that. I'm so grateful I can provide for my little boy.