Iris's Story

"We had lost our dad, and it felt like we were losing our mom to her grief. One day before Christmas the doorbell rang..."

October 1978, our Dad died in a tragic accident at the age of 39. It was a tough time for all of us, especially our mom, who was a stay at home mom and was now faced with raising three children alone. Our lives were very chaotic for a while, and with little support, our Mom was having a tough time dealing with the task before her. Christmas was coming and even though I was a child of 10, I knew this Christmas would be different. We had lost our dad, and it felt like we were losing our mom to her grief. One day before Christmas the doorbell rang and Mom opened the door to a Santas Anonymous volunteer, bringing us gifts. I am sure we did not appear to be the home of a family needing help, living in an average home, in an average neighborhood. But that year was not an average Christmas. To this day we do not know how our names made the list, but were it not for the gifts or the food hamper we also received; there would have been no Christmas. The gifts came the next year as well, but Mom was better, and sent them back for another family. I will never forget that Christmas, and the kindness given to us. Because of that, as soon as I got a job at 15, I started buying a gift every year to donate to Santas Anonymous. When I got older I bought more and started wrapping, this year I hope to deliver.

I just want all the volunteers, and donating people to know that you truly make Christmas for children and that you have touched my heart with your kindness.

- Iris