I come from a big family. Well, a large immediate family. I have four sisters, and loved every moment of growing up in a house full of girls. I had the cool mom on the block, and a dad who worked hard and long as a stone mason every day to take care of our family.
Being in the freelance industry is hard, and construction work didn’t always pay out on time. And there were a few years when I was young that my parents struggled, especially during the winter when work was slower for my dad.
There were days when I would come home from school, and the power would be off. My mom would make it fun with flashlights and candles, lighting the wood burning stove to heat our house, and never once making us aware of the reason why.
One year when things were particularly hard, my family were on the receiving end of one of the most thoughtful gifts we could have been given as a family of seven.
A full Thanksgiving meal anonymously given to my family.
At the time, I had no idea the stress that the holidays were putting on my parents, and didn’t really grasp the magnitude of relief they must have felt knowing they didn’t need to figure out a way to make that one giant feast possible for us. That one meal was usually more than our family would spend on groceries in two weeks.
As years went on, the tables turned and our family was the one in a position to start lifting a weight off others during the holidays. That didn’t mean they were even well off every season, but they had just enough extra cash to pay it forward.
I have the best memories of going to the grocery store with my mom and sisters to shop for turkeys, potatoes, stuffing and pies. That were never going to sit on our table.
Eventually, my mom started getting her friends involved, and not only were we able to help one family, but multiple families in need. She found them through church, school and word of mouth, and one by one, I know she made a huge difference to so many people throughout the years.
My parents were the best example of hard work and generosity. And I truly wouldn’t be the person I am today without their guidance and transparency throughout my childhood.
This year is the first year that my husband and I are truly in a position to give back, as well. And I want to continue the tradition with my own family! I want to show Marcus the true meaning of the holiday season, and it starts before Christmas.
What I am Donating
I have been a huge fan of HelloFresh for a long time now, and they now make the coolest Thanksgiving boxes! They feed 6-8 people, come with all of the fresh ingredients you need to make your Thanksgiving meal and are delivered right to your door.
I am personally going to be donating five Thanksgiving boxes to families who may need a boost this holiday season. Maybe it is financially, or maybe it is emotionally, but I want to take the stress and weight off of the upcoming holiday of a mom and dad’s shoulders.
This is in no way, shape or form sponsored. I am the one donating these boxes, and am beyond excited to be able to give back this year.
How You Can Help
But I need your help to do it! I want to get my community involved and would love for YOU to share a family who could benefit from having a light shown on them this season. Someone you know personally who maybe hasn’t had the best year and needs a big morale boost. A family who is working so hard to make the best life possible for their kids, but is still struggling every day.
Down below there is a form to fill out with some details about you and the family. Please share their story with me and help me start the holiday season off with the spirit of service in mind!
Get In On the Donations
If you would like to join me in this season of giving, I would love for you to donate anything you can to this project. Whether if be the $3.00 coffee you skipped on your way to work this week, or if you would like to fully sponsor a family yourself, anything and everything is appreciated!
If you want to sponsor a family and donate a whole meal, the total cost is $158.00.
Between you and I, I know we can make a world of difference and send a huge dose of hope and joy to some people in need out there.
DONATIONS CLOSED
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