Enlightened Purrs…pectives
In 1934, the Good fellows were organized to aid families with children providing them with clothing, shoes and sometimes gifts during the Christmas holiday. Turkey’s were also distributed to families during the Thanksgiving Holiday. My mother, the oldest daughter amongst 6 boys and 2 sisters, shared stories of when she was a little girl growing up in Detroit during the early 1930’s. My Grandfather worked for Chrysler at the time and my Grandmother stayed home with the children. The depression had hit hard and the family just made due with love, Catholic faith and the food that either my Grandfather was able to provide or the support of the Good Fellows. People knew that when school began the next day that the Good fellows came to their homes because they would wear their shiny new shoes, hats and gloves.
Today, 76 years later, the Good Fellows are still making sure that there is “No Child Without a Christmas”.
From the brief bit of family history, this is where my purrs…pective begins.
Christmas…my favorite time of year.
A time for caroling, for fresh fallen snow and children’s laughter, sharing stories of past, and a time for love, gift giving and wishes for a new year to come. But for some families it is the scariest time of the year. There may not be food on the table or heat to keep them warm. Gifts won’t be placed under the tree nor stockings by the fireplace. Unimaginable!
The opportunity arose with a letter from the Westland Good Fellows. There are families in our area without food, clothing and gifts for their children.
“Will you help?”
No question! I continued to read about a particular grandmother who has had her grandchildren living with her from birth. The 12 year old little girl and her 10 year old brother had a mother in a Detroit jail for drug solicitation and other fines. It has been over a year since they’ve seen or talked with her. Nightmares, tears and abandonment filled their tiny hearts and the thoughts of Christmas were far away. I asked our family here at Carpet One if in place of drawing names and buying gifts for our Christmas exchange if we could adopt this family and provide them with clothes, food and toys so their Christmas could become a reality. And they stepped up without hesitation. Before long our Christmas Giving Tree was adorned with packages wrapped with love and anticipation of smiling happy faces.
This past Saturday was set aside for the Good Fellow’s drop off and pick up program. Over 800 families came and picked up items that were donated from the Westland Community. Canned good, hats, gloves, school supplies, Grocery Gift Certificates, clothing and toys had been bagged up according to each family’s individual needs.
I arrived shortly after lunch with the gifts we had collected. I came with not a single concept of what I would encounter. I was overwhelmed with the graciousness of people and the volunteers that were made up of all age groups.
Heartwarming!
Then Judy walked in the door with 10 year old Adrien. A beautiful little brown eyed boy with feverous anticipation of seeing his gifts. He said he didn’t believe in Santa, which broke my heart a bit. But I said, “Adrien, I’m Santa along with my friends from Carpet One. Santa is someone who loves children and wants them to have a wonderful Christmas. And all of us want that for you and Arion.”
He said with the tiniest smirk, “But, you’re not fat!”
I love that boy!!! Gave him the biggest hug and said “thank you, you made my day!”
I also told him he had to wait to open the presents until Christmas day and made sure that they had a tree to place them under which they did. Adrien and his Grandmother presented me with a card for all the gang at Independent Carpet One wishing us a very Merry Christmas.
This is what this time of year is all about.
Christmas…
Sharing with others a little bit of who we are, sharing our time, our gifts, our love and helping each other when there isn’t anyone else to turn to.
Judy, Arion and Adrien are now a part of the Carpet One family. We’ve adopted them for as long as they’ll have us.
I want to take this moment to wish my dearest friends… A Very Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and Happy New Year.
When asked…Will you help?
Don’t hesitate. You may be the one asking one day
Keep Climbing!
Cat
In 1934, the Good fellows were organized to aid families with children providing them with clothing, shoes and sometimes gifts during the Christmas holiday. Turkey’s were also distributed to families during the Thanksgiving Holiday. My mother, the oldest daughter amongst 6 boys and 2 sisters, shared stories of when she was a little girl growing up in Detroit during the early 1930’s. My Grandfather worked for Chrysler at the time and my Grandmother stayed home with the children. The depression had hit hard and the family just made due with love, Catholic faith and the food that either my Grandfather was able to provide or the support of the Good Fellows. People knew that when school began the next day that the Good fellows came to their homes because they would wear their shiny new shoes, hats and gloves.
Today, 76 years later, the Good Fellows are still making sure that there is “No Child Without a Christmas”.
From the brief bit of family history, this is where my purrs…pective begins.
Christmas…my favorite time of year.
A time for caroling, for fresh fallen snow and children’s laughter, sharing stories of past, and a time for love, gift giving and wishes for a new year to come. But for some families it is the scariest time of the year. There may not be food on the table or heat to keep them warm. Gifts won’t be placed under the tree nor stockings by the fireplace. Unimaginable!
The opportunity arose with a letter from the Westland Good Fellows. There are families in our area without food, clothing and gifts for their children.
“Will you help?”
No question! I continued to read about a particular grandmother who has had her grandchildren living with her from birth. The 12 year old little girl and her 10 year old brother had a mother in a Detroit jail for drug solicitation and other fines. It has been over a year since they’ve seen or talked with her. Nightmares, tears and abandonment filled their tiny hearts and the thoughts of Christmas were far away. I asked our family here at Carpet One if in place of drawing names and buying gifts for our Christmas exchange if we could adopt this family and provide them with clothes, food and toys so their Christmas could become a reality. And they stepped up without hesitation. Before long our Christmas Giving Tree was adorned with packages wrapped with love and anticipation of smiling happy faces.
This past Saturday was set aside for the Good Fellow’s drop off and pick up program. Over 800 families came and picked up items that were donated from the Westland Community. Canned good, hats, gloves, school supplies, Grocery Gift Certificates, clothing and toys had been bagged up according to each family’s individual needs.
I arrived shortly after lunch with the gifts we had collected. I came with not a single concept of what I would encounter. I was overwhelmed with the graciousness of people and the volunteers that were made up of all age groups.
Heartwarming!
Then Judy walked in the door with 10 year old Adrien. A beautiful little brown eyed boy with feverous anticipation of seeing his gifts. He said he didn’t believe in Santa, which broke my heart a bit. But I said, “Adrien, I’m Santa along with my friends from Carpet One. Santa is someone who loves children and wants them to have a wonderful Christmas. And all of us want that for you and Arion.”
He said with the tiniest smirk, “But, you’re not fat!”
I love that boy!!! Gave him the biggest hug and said “thank you, you made my day!”
I also told him he had to wait to open the presents until Christmas day and made sure that they had a tree to place them under which they did. Adrien and his Grandmother presented me with a card for all the gang at Independent Carpet One wishing us a very Merry Christmas.
This is what this time of year is all about.
Christmas…
Sharing with others a little bit of who we are, sharing our time, our gifts, our love and helping each other when there isn’t anyone else to turn to.
Judy, Arion and Adrien are now a part of the Carpet One family. We’ve adopted them for as long as they’ll have us.
I want to take this moment to wish my dearest friends… A Very Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and Happy New Year.
When asked…Will you help?
Don’t hesitate. You may be the one asking one day
Keep Climbing!
Cat
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