While searching for a Christmas movie to watch before the season was through, I stumbled upon an old episode of Full House. As a devout fan growing up, I could not help but prop myself up in bed and watch the Christmas episode that I had not seen in what felt like 15 years. In the episode, Stephanie, the middle daughter, printed a laundry list of gifts for her family members to use when shopping for her Christmas presents. It was clear that most of her relatives brushed off her materialism, but her uncle did just the opposite. Uncle Jesse decided to teach his young niece about the TRUE MEANING of Christmas by taking her to a local homeless shelter. It was there that Stephanie came to understand the joy in giving!
Inspired by the plot (and motivated by the overflow of trucks in my basement), I decided to take this upcoming week as a way to show my sons that, in fact, it is better to give then to receive! During the next few days, as we start to organize the new toys that we just received for Christmas, I plan to start conversations about those less fortunate then us. While it may be challenging for my young sons to fully understand, it is my hope that our decision to donate will plant the seed for a lifetime of a giving!
If you would like to do the same with some of your gently used toys*, here is a list of our Top 3 Local Donation Centers:
Second Chance Toys: Locations in Eatontown, Holmdel and Middletown
Goodwill NJ: Locations in Allentown, Ocean, Wall and Shrewsbury
Madonna House: 1401 Seventh Avenue, Neptune, New Jersey 07753
*Make sure to check each center's acceptable vs. non acceptable donations
