One of my favorite holiday traditions is donating new toys and clothes to Candy Cane Corner – a joint effort between The Road Home, the YWCA, and Volunteers of America. Items get donated, and then parents that otherwise wouldn’t have a Christmas come with their case workers to “shop” for every member of their immediate family. Presents are wrapped and delivered to the families before the big day.
I think it’s now been at least 10 years since a friend introduced my young family to Candy Cane Corner. Each year since then we take the kids to Wal-Mart and have them pick out things that they would like. Then these items are donated. It’s always a great experience.
In years past, I’ve had the honor of trying to lighten the burden of the case workers by helping many parents “shop” in the store. I’ve been deeply touched as parents have selected items for their children and told me “Thank You” with tears in their eyes.
The effort has spread and been supported by many in our family. My mother-in-law now spends months sewing and preparing Christmas stockings for Candy Cane Corner. We have a good neighbor who donates along with us each year. My kids now are just as passionate about it as I am!
Tonight, we delivered our donation to Candy Cane Corner. I’m ready for Christmas.
