Spend less than $5 and do something special for someone, this year. It will put a smile on the person's face and give you warmth for doing something special.

Just one person at a time! And the world can love again.

This is the way I have been conducting my life since I was a child, and I have taught my children to be equally generous. Are you?

While the "angel trees" are a very kind gesture, what about the children that live without everyday? We all have them in and around our neighborhoods. Do you know them? Do you keep an eye out for their wellbeing?

We have become so obsessed with high technology that the basics of living have nearly vanished. Greed and power is a driving force, and compassion is a lost concept.

ServingSarcasm, the only difference between the old days and today is the myth that everyone loved everyone 100 years ago.

Back then there were no angel trees, far more children died in poverty and far more children didn't have any presents at Christmas. 100 years ago, in fact, many children were forced to *work* on Christmas day because there were no child labor laws.

Modern times are not the problem, and believe it or not it's better now than it was then. Human nature has not become worse in the last century, and regardless of how we'd like to romanticize the old days the truth is that they were pretty brutal for people who didn't have much.

Yes, things were definately harder back then. In turn, families put the emphasis on being together and having a meal together. Now it is all about the best toy, video game, ugh boots, cell phones, Ipads and Ipods. Modern times are most definately the problem in my opinion!!!

We can't do something for everyone - but we can do something for someone.

Nice story.

I love this story. This is what Christmas is about. Nice.

This is my favorite holiday tradition, especially now that my kids are grown. I love buying gifts for kids, especially if the tag lists the one item the kid really, really wants.

It adds a special spice to my Christmas morning cup of tea to know that some kids somewhere are getting the gifts they really wanted.

I like to pick up small items during the year and add a few "stocking stuffer" type things to the gift. Crayons, holiday pencils and notepads, stuff like that.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Politically Americans are the most argumentative people in the world. But when there is a tragedy, we are the most giving people in the world. But now, people still homeless from katrina still need help. our government sends billiond to other countries to line politicians pockets. Keep the money here and build some houses. Mr. Pittman needs the work. I have forever said that as long as one kid is going hungry, or does not have a warm jacket for school, or Christmas presents. then not one dollar of Americans money should leave this country.

And for the attorney, in your honor, I will refrain from telling any lawyer jokes for at least two hours. More than that and I will burst.

Politically Americans are the most argumentative people in the world. But when there is a tragedy, we are the most giving people in the world.

You must not get out much.

Actually Krell67, when a major natural disaster happens around the world, Americans donate far more money than any other nation. To dispute that would be a sign of ignorance.

That said, where America does lack is people giving their personal time. As is typical of most Americans, they believe in the idea that if you throw enough money at something it will get fixed. While you will never hear a relief or volunteer worker complaining about people donating large amounts of money and supplies, you also will never hear them complain about having a few more helpful hands available.

Hey what about my wife and me. We are unemployed, on a fixed disability income and can barely afford to think about saying Merry Christmas, much less giving presents to our kids or grand kids.

No,on a serious note I think what this lawyer did for this family was GREAT! I wish more people who can do this sort of thing for the truly needy did so. This guy deserves to feel good about himself this holiday, if this is a true example of how he leads his life then America needs more like him.

Merry Christmas to all and may God bless and keep you safe.

Well, I live in a small Ohio city whose economy is not exactly the best, and I do know that last year the local charities had more people wanting an Angel Tag than they had needy children, which is great. My little shop participated in a local food drive last spring which brought in 8000 + meals. Some friends of mine with a catering/restaurant business cater a full Thanksgiving meal to 300 homeless in the nearest large city every year, and they have to work their volunteers on 1 hour shifts because they have too many. My optical center the other day provided free exams and glasses to several local homeless.

I think this is probably more the norm than the exception, because the average American is very generous.

BTW our church has a tree with tags for seniors in nursing homes. The request is usually for a sweat suit or something along those lines. Please don't forget these too often lonely people who have little to look forward to.

here here, this is fluff and distracting BS.

There is a larger problem but in the interim, many who are not written in an article do help kids who are too young to grasp the big picture. Many places have angel trees which I involve my family. Each child picks a name and we shop for them. Truthfully, I have more fun shopping for these four gifts as the kids do.

My real personal pleasure is I take names from the "Seniors" angel tree - those who are in nursing homes or live on their own and have no one or family ignores them. They may list a scarf, hat and mittens for what they wish for. Some list their wish as a $10 gift card for a coffee shop. I keep a jar for change throughout the year so I know I can do this without it being a budget problem at the holidays.

Amen, Ross.

Ross and WTF:

I think the point here is by highlighting some real people once in a while (a face and a sad story), people DO read these stories and are moved to help others in our own community. The nameless that don't have the chance to have their stories heard DO get help because some of us were inspired by this "feel good" "fluff" story to donate more money at the collection bin at church, or give more food to the local food bank, or whatever. Toys 4 Tots might get some more toys this weekend by people who want to help reciprocate what they just read about in this "fluff" "nothing" piece. Jeez, lighten up.

Sabrina, This is not a solution to the problem. It is good no doubt but a bandaid non the less. You should lighten up and accept that we are giving half measures to a serious chronic problem. Someone might or someone could or someone blah blah blah. AS I said there are enough resources on this planet for all. Politics and greed have prevented us from solving this problem. How about we try and give something more substantive like a self sufficient life? Sure help those who need help that goes without saying but we need a long term solution. We have had millennums to come up with one. We have photo ops and events etc etc. and then those who have turn away and go live their lives while those in need remain in need. Something wrong with this picture. Politics and greed. Ego. I never meet her but Mother Teresa was a good start to solving the problem. We need more like her. Many more. Don't get me wrong. There are people who contribute to the betterment of mankind such as the gentleman who offered Christmas gifts. Great! But the day after Christmas this man and his child are right where they were the day before Christmas. I am no saint and could no doubt do more but we need to start with our youth and instill in them that thay are their brothers keeper rather than their brothers user.

Ross,

This is not a solution to the problem.

I don't think anyone said it was a solution. If you think that is not enough, why don't you do your part and give the man a job?

Fletch, Typical response when you have nothing to offer besides look at what that guy did. Lets all get full of ourselves because one guy did something. Yeah! Woohoo! And here 2000 + years later we have nothing more to offer but more of the same. Getting kind of old. Never mind me it is mankind that needs to get its act together. It will take the collective will of mankind to bring the change we need. That in itself is likely a few millennium off. In the mean time. Woo hoo! That guy did something. Yeah! Now I feel good. Lets do this again next year it makes me feel so good.

Ross,

Why are you criticizing if you can't do better? Next you will be asking for us not to celebrate Christmas because ...Yeah! Now I feel good. Lets do this again next year it makes me feel so good.....and God forbid, we wouldn't want that to happen.

Lets all get full of ourselves because one guy did something.

We should, since sometimes one person can make a difference and will set the pace for others.

Folks like you, are the ones who sit on the side and try to tear down anyone who try to make a difference, yet saying..It will take the collective will of mankind to bring the change we need .....how do you think his will happen, if one person does not take the first step? If and when they do, they will have to deal with the likes of you, making up reasons to tear them down.

Fletch,Typical response when you have nothing to offer besides look at what that guy did ....What do you have to offer?

Fletch, Folks like me are the ones who can see through the B.S.. I do my bit but in the end I am not enough to make the necessary changes happen. You can go on and on about setting the pace but in the end the pace is pathetically slow. What you are selling is what has been sold since forever. Good is good but we need to be better still. Something is better than nothing yes but that something being a bandaid when you have a massive head wound is not enough.

Ross,

What you are talking about equals to giving for nothing, this eventually become the precedence and erodes people sense of work ethic, pretty soon nobody works so there is nothing to go around. People should be help on individual situations, things happen that warrant people be helped but Black and White government programs are not the answer. This is the right stuff not what you speak of, yes this could have been better if somebody needing a house built called this guy and allowed him work but sharing of resources because there is enough is not the answer.

Ross,

I do my bit but in the end I am not enough to make the necessary changes happen. You can go on and on about setting the pace but in the end the pace is pathetically slow.

I would suggest that you do something to speed it up , but you obviously lack initiative. You would just rather complain.

With a massive head wound, a band aid might not be enough, but I would die knowing that at least someone cared enough to try, and believing that I would have received the stitches and bandages if they were available. You should try positive thinking, it work wonders.

Fletch, We get by on feel good moments and are satisfied. The effort needed requires more than a feel good moment. We need an entirely different mind set. Anyway, it will never happen. Continue on with those feel good momnents. Better than nothing.

We need an entirely different mind set. Anyway, it will never happen.

I suppose because you said so. It make me wonder what made you so defeated.

I understand what you are saying. Makes me think of John Lennon. Imagine.

The holidays are only as "stupidly commercial" as you allow them to be. My wife and I never went overboard at Christmas, but when the children were little we allowed them to believe in Santa by having a few small things for them to unwrap that were from him and one or two presents from us -- that was it because we did not have money to buy lots of expensive things. I feel bad that your daughter was not able (or at least the way it seems from your post) to enjoy the childhood wonder of Christmas.

Lew maybe Kathy could not afford it, did you ever think of that? Plus isn't there a religious faith--jehovah witnesses that don't give out presents on birthdays and christmas? It sounds like Kathy has raised a responsible person to me.

this christmas is going to be really tough for me. my husband was laid off and he still has yet to find a job. Thankfully we don't have any small kids in the household. I bought my husband one gift that cost 60 dollars, the kids are going to get $50 a piece (3 of them). My parents and his mother are the last to buy for. I already have my father's but still have to get moms and mom in law's present. Both will be under 50 that is for sure. Those will be bought tomorrow. Everybody else is not going to get a thing from us. But the day will be spent together at my sister's house. Isnt' that what it is all about anyways? spending time with the ones you love and thinking about why we even celebrate christmas?

Christmas should never be about receiving and giving of gifts. It should be celebrated only with the ones you love minus gifts. I have told everybody I know to not give me anything... just donate that money to the children's hospital.

Keep "feeling bad," Lew. No one cares about your feelings.

I do....

Let others celebrate Christmas as they wish and leave me to keep it in the way I choose to. Not an exact quote but probably the ONLY memorable line from the early part of "A Christmas Carol". To each their own. Gift giving has gotten out of hand over the years, we forget that the gift giving was supposed to be in remembrance of the gifts given to Jesus at his birth; and the gift of God the Father to We His Children; His only Son.

Why do we have to sit here and bash one another. I think that it was a nice thing what that man did for them. kathy's post makes it seem that in no way could she afford any luxuries for her daughter. We have always gotten our daughter at least one present. If you let your kids know your financial situation then your burdens will become theirs and they will begin to worry about money issues. I am not saying that you should shelter them, but have some common sense. This is just my opinion.

rdixiesunrise61 and brandie smith

I was not bashing anyone, I was just making an observation. Kathy did not say that she could not afford any presents, only that she was a single parent -- and I know many single parents who can afford gifts. She also did not indicate that she did not give gifts for religious reasons -- which is definitely a legitimate reason not to. What she said was that her daughter has never received a birthday or Christmas present -- that if she wants something she has to figure out a way to earn it. I do not disagree with having a child learn responsibility by earning the money to buy things they want, but I do not believe it should extend to a point where the child is never given anything -- unless, as you point out she cannot afford it. I find it hard to believe though that with all of the Salvation Army and "Toys for Tots" programs that she could not have gotten something without spending any money.

WTF3000 -- I do not think your post deserves any comments, however, I do not particularly care for what you think either. I was making a responsible post, based on my family's history. I did not ask what anyone thought about it. Actually WTF probably describes your attitude about everything.

I think WTF3000 has summed up his attitude and feelings in his screen name. People do care. Speak for yourself. You must be one unhappy SOB. Possibly you should change your screen name to NSOB. You figure it out.

Yes I care what you said Lew and Kathy I am sorry your daughter has never received a present. There is much joy in giving and I hope she finds away to receive and give that joy and understand the true spirit of christmas. If this is a finacial situation and not a choice then I hope things improve.

I agree wholeheartedly.

You, like the guy in the story, are an amazing person. Thank you for being so kind in a cruel world.

I remember the first time that we pulled names off of the walmart tree, as i was putting the things on the list in my cart the more i did the better it felt and i have to say that i bought them more than they asked.

It felt better giving it to them than my own kids, odd as that may sound . I also think that not having them thank us personally enhanced the feeling too.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone who read this story, paid it forward to some deserving individual. Need not be a child but someone who really needs the Spirit of the Holidays to visit them this year.

Along with the angel tree for kids, which I have brought my kids up that they each pick a name, I then spend time with each kid to go shopping for the gift. It's a blast and great one on one time with them.

My fun is picking names from the Seniors' Angel tree who may not have family and are in a nursing home. They ask for little. Hat & mittens or a $10 gift card to a named coffee shop. My all-year long change jar provides the funds, the Angel trees & my kids provide the fun!!

Every Christmas my church does an Angel Tree (I don't live at home anymore) but my mom gets a boy and a girl every year. She loves it because she can go shopping for toys like she use to when my brother and I were little. This year on the gift due date there were a few angels still on the tree, so my mom took another and I believe other parishioners did also. If I had the money, I would go find one also. I have never noticed trees in the Walmart around Pittsburgh but maybe they're somewhere in the store. I should just go see if maybe I can afford some.

I just wish more people would help. Year 'round. Not just Thanksgiving and Christmas. Especially those people that DO have the money and buy huge expensive things for themselves, I think they are less inclined to give than the middle class people with a few extra bucks to spare.

I'm payin it forward White Tank.. and thanks..instead of throwing a lil in a kettle this year..i'm adopting 3 for Christmas..God bless you and thanks for the inspiration..I don't have much either...but I CAN share what I have...
Just think if those that have did more of this....and not just at Christmas.....

Better yet, just leave it at their door with a ribbon and his name a on a card. the every time you see him ride it, you will know who his Santa is.

oldman - that would be awesome to see this young man enjoy his bike without knowing who gave it!

Heck yeah! There's nothing like waking up on Christmas morning and seeing that bike sitting there with a big bow on it! Man, I was having a not so great day at work this morning till I started reading all these letters and now I'm ashamed of myself!! My sister has been out of a job for over a year now and she's on her last penny and I'm doing the best I can to keep her from giving up, and my first grandchild passed away two weeks after his birth which was almost more than I could bear. I gave up any hope that there was still anything to be positive about until this. This has been the equivalent of the three ghosts visiting for me!!! I can't wait to go out shopping for everyone!!! Christmas goose for everyone!!!!!!!