| I found myself daydreaming about past Christmas'. | | | | for the needy every Thursday evening. The |
| Remembering my two small boys, excitement filling | | | | restaurant always donated food or money to help |
| their eyes, as we trimmed the tree and they talked | | | | with those dinners. Could they help us put together a |
| about a visit from Santa, leaving cookies out for the | | | | guest list? |
| jolly old man and carrots for his reindeer and | | | | I met with the person in charge of those Thursday |
| shopping with their small savings for gifts for each | | | | night dinners and was told they would be delighted to |
| other. | | | | help with our Christmas dinner plan. The churches |
| I remember Christmas morning in church and I | | | | would put together a guest list and get the word out |
| remember always being surrounded by loved ones | | | | to the needy at their Thursday dinners. |
| during the entire holiday season. How blessed I was | | | | When we received the guest list early in December, |
| to have my family and friends and God in my life. | | | | we found that many children would be among our |
| This started me thinking about ways to "give back" | | | | dinner guests. My sister said, "We have to have gifts |
| for all the blessings I enjoyed. But what could I do? | | | | for the kids." She and some friends held a charity |
| Being a small restaurant owner left very little time for | | | | party every year to raise money for needy families |
| anything else in my life. My husband, one of my | | | | and they decided to give part of that money for |
| sisters who worked at the restaurant, my Chef and I | | | | gifts for "our kids." The guest list included the age |
| got together to discuss ideas and finally we came to | | | | and sex of every child, so Sis was able to purchase |
| the conclusion that we could do what we did best | | | | appropriate gifts for each one. |
| and what we did everyday - serve food. | | | | Those that volunteered to serve Christmas dinner |
| There were a number of homeless and needy people | | | | also asked if their children could help. Who could deny |
| in my small town; a few even enjoyed a cup of our | | | | them the pleasure of serving others! The kids had |
| soup slipped to them while passing by the back door | | | | the time of their lives serving the Chef's scrumptious |
| of the restaurant. A plan began to come together | | | | roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings and |
| ...we could serve Christmas dinner to families who | | | | pumpkin pie for dessert. |
| were having difficult times. If we closed the | | | | When every appetite was satisfied and folks lingered |
| restaurant early on Christmas Eve, we could serve | | | | over coffee, my sister and her helpers presented |
| them a Christmas dinner and still have family time | | | | wrapped gifts to every child. Every one of us was |
| afterward! | | | | blessed when we saw each child's eyes light up with |
| But who would help prepare the food and serve the | | | | surprise and happiness. It is a very special feeling to |
| food and do the dishes and cleanup ...all on Christmas | | | | bring a moment of joy and a full tummy to those in |
| Eve? | | | | need. |
| We posted a letter to the restaurant staff titled "A | | | | The restaurant continued this Christmas Story - A |
| Christmas Story - A Time For Giving" explaining our | | | | Time For Giving every year thereafter. We never |
| plan and asking for their help. In a matter of a couple | | | | lacked for volunteers. Unfortunately we never lacked |
| of days we had more than enough volunteers to | | | | for needy guests, either. But it is a fabulous |
| help prepare the food and serve it, wash dishes and | | | | experience to have people in the community stop by |
| clean up! "A Christmas Story - A Time For Giving" | | | | or telephone to offer their help every year. As it |
| had the employees excited and eager for the chance | | | | turns out, there are many caring people who want to |
| to give of themselves during the holiday season! | | | | "give back," to share in a celebration of God's |
| The next obstacle was how to obtain a list of people | | | | blessings to others. |
| to invite and how to get the word out about the | | | | "A Christmas Story - A Time For Giving" is simply |
| Christmas dinner. | | | | people helping people. It is what Christmas is really all |
| Many of the restaurant customers attended local | | | | about. |
| churches and those churches sponsored a free meal | | | | |