Andre Johnson, a wide receiver, for the Houston Texans, took 12 kids on an 80 second shopping spree at Toys R Us this week. These kids were chosen by Child Protective Services because they had especially difficult circumstances of abuse and neglect. Each child was given a cart and 80 seconds to gather as many toys as they could… and could they ever. The final tab was just over $19,000. Johnson said after the event, “That’s what this season is about. It’s something I look forward to. The kids are happy, they get what they want for Christmas, and that’s all that matters.”
A Country of Giving: I couldn’t agree more with Mr. Johnson’s statement. Let’s remember that there are thousands of individuals and foundations that set aside money and time to help disadvantaged youth. It should also be noted that donating time and money is not just for the rich. In 2010, 88% of Americans stated that they donated time and money to charity for a combined total of $291 billion.
Personal Giving: Two weeks ago my two eldest daughters (6 and 5 years old) and I spent a Saturday packing 1,500 shoe boxes full of clothing, stuffed animals, candy and toys. The recipients are children in third-world countries who have never received a gift in their lives. Each December we visit our bank and select several families to provide Christmas presents. We are continually surprised by the 5 year old who wants gloves or boots instead of a toy. My wife takes our kids to a senior citizen’s home to spread our smiles, enthusiasm and well-wishes. This year we selected a soldier to send gifts and cards to while he is serving our country in the Middle East. In a few short years, I plan to take our kids to the Lansing Soup Kitchen on Christmas so my children can appreciate how fortunate they are to have a house and food in the frig.
Your Turn:
1) So, what about you? What do you do to give back? What can you do to make a difference? If you have donated before, how did it make you feel?
2) Has anyone ever helped you out in a time of need? What did that mean to you?
3) It’s that time of year. With the help of your class, your family or your friends, can you develop a plan to help others who are less fortunate than you?
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I think that is very kind of him to do and spend his $19,000 on 12 kids that he doesn’t even know. They will always remember that Christmas the rest of there life because of him. I like what he did for just:)
I agree. Christmas is a really good holiday as it’s known as the “season of giving”. If it was the other way around, than I would be like “Goodbye, Felisha!” And exit the country.
I agree. Christmas is a really good holiday as it’s known as the “season of giving”. If it was the other way around, than I would be like “Goodbye, Felisha!” and exit the country
I messed up here.
1. I have always donate stuffed animals, toys, and candy. At Christmas I donate just about half my closet to the kids so they get what they want for Christmas. Donating is the highlight to my Christmas not to get toys to donate them.
2. I have never been helped but I help them.
3. Yes at Christmas with care center they have a thing were you can adopt a family to bring gifts for. They will give us a list with every bodies age and what they what for Christmas. Then my mom, dad and me go shopping for the things on the list and when we find them we will buy them. On the day before Christmas we will give the family all the gifts wrapped and a tree to put them under. The next morning they will open them.
. I have always donate stuffed animals, toys, and candy. At Christmas I donate just about half my closet to the kids so they get what they want for Christmas. Donating is the highlight to my Christmas not to get toys to donate them.
2. I have never been helped but I help them.
3. Yes at Christmas with care center they have a thing were you can adopt a family to bring gifts for. They will give us a list with every bodies age and what they what for Christmas. Then my mom, dad and me go shopping for the things on the list and when we find them we will buy them. On the day before Christmas we will give the family all the gifts wrapped and a tree to put them under. The next morning they will open them
1. I have help people in need as much as i can.
2. I have been help once or twice.
3. help those in need meet those needs.
1. I help out were i can when i can
2. I have been help a cuple of times and it meant a lot to me.
3. You can help those in need.
1. i have donated clothes and i have given food to the homeless. I haven’t donated toys before but shoes and clothes i have donated to the donation store on highway 98
2. My grandma. One time we had to leave the house we were living in at short notice and we didnt have a place to stay for months and my grandma let us live with her for those few months. She means a lot to me and so did that gesture
3. I would like to clean out my drawers and donate clothes to the thrift store again because that makes me feel good and i need the space anyway
1. I have helped people in need as much as i can.
2. I have been helped once or twice.
3. Help those in need to meet those needs.
1. I have helped people in need as much as i can.
2. I have been helped a few times.
3. Help those in need to meet those needs.
Yes, I have been helped a few times primarily when I was quite a bit younger so I didn’t really know that’s why was going on until latter and I looked back on it but after coming to that realization it did mean a lot.
1. i have donated clothes and i have given food to the homeless. I haven’t donated toys before but shoes and clothes i have donated to the donation store on highway 98
2. My grandma. One time we had to leave the house we were living in at short notice and we didnt have a place to stay for months and my grandma let us live with her for those few months. She means a lot to me and so did that gesture
3. I would like to clean out my drawers and donate clothes to the thrift store again because that makes me feel good and i need the space anyway
I have donated a lot of stuff to people that really need it.
1. I done donated sometimes and help out people in needs in make you feel good doing a good deed and helping someone out
2. yes, alot of people have and I also payed them back in a helping hand but when you got people that constantly help you out out of love you they don’t count favors that something you have to cherish
3. I know this year we planning on giving away some jackets to the youth for the ones that struggling finally and can’t help their kids out just a way to give back to the community
1. I have helped people in need as much as i can.
2. I have been helped a few times.
3. Help those in need to meet those needs.
1. I have donated clothing and other items to charities
2. My mother took me to the hospital in the time i was really sick, and that me feel good that she came to help me and be by my side.
3. I can help by going to the less fortunate around my community
1. I give money to charity, tithe, and give stuff away to the less fortunate. It makes me happier.
2. I’ve been helped in a time of need and the person that helped me turned into someone I look up to.
3.Yes, I plan to do it on Christmas and I want to donate money or something another kid like me can enjoy.
1) So, what about you? What do you do to give back? What can you do to make a difference? If you have donated before, how did it make you feel?
I usually try to give back in some way typically directed towards younger impressionable children as I do remember what it was like. And giving my change to the contraption at Walmart for the children’s hospital.
2) Has anyone ever helped you out in a time of need? What did that mean to you?
I’ve had help from teachers when I was having a rough day, allowing me to take a nap. I cherish those classes.
3) It’s that time of year. With the help of your class, your family, or your friends, can you develop a plan to help others who are less fortunate than you?
I cant really do anything directly but I donate to charity when I can if I trust the Charity.
1) I give my time to the community. I can make a difference by helping my neighbors or cleaning up around.
2) Yes, it mean a lot to me because they made xmas for my siblings more fun and they were very grateful.
3) Yes
I think it was nice of him to spend all that money on the kids and i dont think the kids will ever forget that christmas.