Tis' The Season
This was one of the most heart filling and joyful experience of the year. This started off as something small that I wanted to do but it turned into something bigger. I want to be very transparent for a moment. My grandmother has has this non-profit organization (The Family Who Cares Inc.) for 18 years. She wanted me to take over things but I always ran from my calling. I started projects but never finished. So, I ran from my calling until I couldn’t run anymore. This year I answered my calling BOLDLY and with doing so, I was exposed to a CRAZY faith.
My grandmother and I filled out the application for Toys for Tots. When didn’t hear anything back and figured we didn’t get selected. The day of pick (which we didn’t know about at first) my grandmother just randomly decided to check her email, BOOM we had 1 hour to be at the destination for pick up. We made it just in time, this was blessing number 1.
At the beginning of this journey I doubted myself severely. I hesitated to post anything about it on social media but when I did I was in awe at the number of people that were so eager to donate. With the combination of donations we had over 500 toys, gift cards and 2 bicycles to giveaway, blessing number 2.
Now even with blessings flowing in, I still didn’t have what I needed to purchase an event space. It was my first toy drive and funds were scarce. I was fortunate enough to be donated a space for free, however days before the event they canceled on me. I was scared, nervous and lost. I didn’t know what to do and I didn’t want to cancel my event or move the location. So as I was running errands for the giveaway, riding down the express in silence, the song “Well Done” popped up in my head. I listened to it and prayed like never before. I got a text at 3:27 AM saying that my cousin had found me another space (for free) but now i couldn’t sleep because I didn’t know what it looked like, what resources i would have available etc. but this was blessing number 3
When I arrived to the event space on today, it was bigger, had a number of tables and chairs and had Christmas lights everywhere already. Y’all I was just stuck and most of all grateful. We had a toy set up where all the toys were categorized for display. Children were able to select 2 toys to take home. We had a hot chocolate bar, coloring station, cookie decoration, popcorn, snacks, candy bags, and held a dance contest of course. The children really enjoyed themselves and the smiles were overwhelming.
My heart is warm but most of all I am thankful for God’s grace, mercy and favor. Thank you to anyone that donated, helped out today and those that came. It’s a blessing to be a blessing. Happy Holidays 🎄.