Amy & Aron's

We are looking for sponsors at all levels to help us out with this year's project. 

Over the past few years, due to some very amazing sponsors, we have helped several local families enjoy the magic of Christmas. So far, 15 kids and counting. We were able to get toys and clothes for the kids. Christmas morning goodies. And a special little relief for the caregivers by way of a gift card to a local grocery store. That way they could take part by getting the things they may need to celebrate the holidays. 

A very long time ago, I was 10, our family was going through a very tough time. My mom was pregnant with my little brother and very ill. She had spent some time in the hospital already and was getting ready to go back until my brother was big enough to survive on his own. It was a very scary time for my older sister and me, our dad had passed away a few years before that and mom was all we had. Our little sister was 3 at the time. 

My older sister and I already knew that Christmas wasn't going to happen, Mom was just too sick. We had so many Christmas wishes we knew weren't going to come true. We really hoped for our little sister's sake that we could find a stocking and some candy from somewhere just so she wouldn't lose the magic of Christmas at such a young age. Our plans and how we could make it happen was something that we would talk about every day. We wanted mom and our little sister both to feel the magic. Maybe the happiness of it would help mom get better. Every day it just felt like wishful thinking though.

So one day the doorbell rang. Which was weird, no one ever came to see us. If they did, they knew the stairs were hard for mom and they didn't ring the bell, they just came up and knocked on the top door. Me, being protective of my mom and also 10 and nosey, I went down the stairs with her to see who it was. We got to the door as they were pulling away. But, that was exactly the moment in my life when I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that Santa was real. 

There were big black garbage bags at our door with a note to my mom. I don't remember exactly what it said, being that it was nearly 30 years ago. Just to recap, that this was a gift and to pay it forward when she had the chance. Also, please try not to figure out where it came from or who they were that it would spoil the surprise. 

It was Santa, our Sneaky Santa. A beautiful stranger that cared so much about a family that they didn't even know. A beautiful person that changed the way I felt about everything from that moment on. A stranger that gave us the only food we had that wasn't from commodities (food bank) in months. What a holiday celebration we were going to have! 

So much food, gifts for everyone in the house, and even wrapping paper so my mom could wrap it up- that's an important feeling. You name it, they thought of it. They gave it to us without asking for any type of repayment to them, just to pay it forward when she had the chance. 

Yes, I do know that the gift was meant for my mom, for her to be able to share and celebrate with her family. But I carried the gift of inspiration throughout my whole life. Every single time I am able to help anyone that needs it, I do. It doesn't have to be Christmas to help someone have an easier day but, it means so much this time of year. 

You never know, the one kind act that you're doing could changes their life forever. Just like the Sneaky Santa did for me, almost thirty years ago. 

I've said it a million times but I'll be happy to say it again- 

To the beautiful stranger that planted the seed of giving in my heart and inspired me to try to do something amazing, I love you. Thank you so much for letting me see that. For making my mom cry tears of joy. For giving her the magic of the holidays when she wasn't able to find it on her own. That act of kindness has not been forgotten. Thank you. 

Thank you for letting me get that little cry out. I am hoping that this will inspire you to be someone else's sneaky Santa this year. 

All of the recipients for our Sneaky Santa Surprise are not informed until the delivery- It is genuinely a surprise. They were all nominated by a loving family member, neighbor, or coworker. 

We are looking for gifts for all ages. It's mainly the kids that we are aiming for but, parents love to receive gifts too. If we can find something for the caregivers of the kids, that would be great. I know there were a few years when I was a single mom that I didn't receive gifts, that was okay with me, but, it would have been nice to have had one.  

If you are interested in participating in our sneaky Santa this year please email me directly or fill out this form and I will be notified immediately.  

Amy Groves: [email protected] or [email protected]