A Christmas Story

Every year at my work the various departments gather food and toys for hampers that are delivered to needy families for the holidays. We get the names of families from the Christmas Cheer Board in our city.

This year, one department put together a beautiful hamper with toys for the three children ages 2, 4, and 7. Every staff member donated their $25 gift certificate for Safeway, which they all receive as a gift from the union here. One of the staff, Brad, had spoken to the mother and arranged delivery. Brad and Dave loaded up Brad’s car and delivered the hamper.

They carried in boxes of food and gifts for the children, making several trips. The children were ecstatic that they were receiving gifts this Christmas, and Brad and Dave felt really good – until they left the home. Then Dave said to Brad, “That lady didn’t speak much English. Didn’t you talk to her on the phone?” Brad replied, “Yes.” Then he paused. “And she spoke perfect English.” They looked at each other, then checked the address they had. To their horror, they realized they had just delivered the hamper to the wrong family!.

They didn’t know what to do, but after reflecting and realizing that there was another family still expecting the hamper to be delivered, and the toys had been purchased with those three specific children in mind, they went back into the house. They explained that they’d made a mistake. They actually had to take one of the toys out of a child’s hands, pack things up and take it away. They felt terrible and the family was distressed, too. What an awful Christmas story!

But wait – it gets better!

When Brad and Dave got back to the office, they told their co-workers what had happened. The story spread through the building and within an hour, donations started pouring in for another hamper – without being asked, every other department chipped in more food and toys and gift certificates, even another Christmas card was found.

So Brad and Dave returned to the first house later that day and delivered another generous hamper to the family, who were overwhelmed and grateful after the earlier disappointment!

The immediate and unsolicited outpouring of donations left us all with a very warm, joyful feeling. The Christmas spirit is alive and well! Merry Christmas and happy holidays!