The little girl approached Santa in his big chair and smiled oh so shyly. As Santa helped her up into his lap he asked if she was looking forward to opening presents. The little one shrugged her shoulders. Santa and she carried on a little conversation and then Mrs. Claus handed her a candy cane and a snap shot of the two of them. The little one gave Santa a very gentle hug and made a request that brought Mrs. Claus to tears. The request was simple. “When you are up there flying around can you tell my daddy I love him?" “He died, I miss my daddy”.
Santa and Mrs. Claus spoke with the elves and all agreed. This little one needed to go on a shopping spree! So Santa and Mrs. Claus took the little one by the hand and into the Red Hat Gift Program store they went.
As the elves looked on, she picked a baby doll, a puzzle, a Hannah Montana doll, a game, a bicycle and a talking Jesus doll.
Each year there are wonderful things that take place at the Red Hat Gift Program. This year 526 children will find wonderful presents to open when their families celebrate the holiday of their choosing. Many of these children will have gifts to give their parent, grandparent or caregiver because of the adult donations our program received and because of the wonderful elves that volunteered to work in the children’s room.
The children’s room is a place where kids enjoy shopping for that something special and then elves help them wrap their gifts.
While they wait for their caregiver to shop for them they enjoy sitting in Santa’s lap, coloring and singing songs while Rev. Joseph and Jim play the guitar.
Some families received food baskets while others choose to spend time in the prayer room and received Jesus into their hearts.
All in all this was a very special year filled with many stories and much generosity.
We at the Red Hat Gift Program would like to thank each barrel location, each donor and each volunteer for making this program such a big success and for bringing joy to so many families in our community. God bless and may He bring you health, joy and peace of mind this coming New Year.
Sincerely,
TJ the toy Lady, Thomas L. Williams, Jr. and the Red Hat Gift Program.