Update to Helping Hands for a Family

A few minutes ago, I got this e-mail from our HR Department. It was sent by someone who knows the family our library adopted.

Dear Librarians,
I wanted to let you and the Library folks that contributed to the Christmas family know that the family came to get their presents this morning. The employee was not able to come into the building. His wife came in and was amazed at the amount of presents and food. When we gave them the money orders, which totaled $2150 and the gift cards which were another $200 and some dollars, the wife became tearful. She didn't know what to say other than thank you. She never dreamed that they would receive this type of generosity.

When we helped her carry the packages to the van I talked with our employee and he was tearful. He said it had been difficult not to have received a check in the last few weeks. He couldn't imagine that there would be people that would do this for him and his family. He was very moved by the outpouring of generosity from the Library. He had surgery on his kidney two weeks ago for the cancer and in two weeks will undergo surgery of for his lungs. He was struggling to breathe as he told me this and again certainly moved by the help given.

I think that while the gifts were very helpful, the real gift is that the employees of the Library cared and gave of themselves for this family. The caring is the gift that really matters. On behalf of the Christmas Family, I want to thank all of you.

Sincerely, FSA Program Staff

Makes my heart grow big. Do something good for those who cannot do for themselves.

Here's a nice story about the Postal Workers in Manhattan did for a Puerto Rican girl who is battling brain cancer.

http://spotlight.news.yahoo.com/v/11210396

The spirit of John and Elizabeth Edwards--and Scrooge. May it live inside all of us all year around.