Do you believe in Santa?
Before you answer, I’m going to share something with you and if you believe in good ol’ Saint Nick, or not, I’ll give you a reason to believe in the spirit… No… I am going to give you a reason to believe in the MAGIC of Christmas.
Each year, CCB-Media (999 The Q, Cape Country 104 and CapeCod.com) partner with Child and Family Services of Cape Cod and the Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod for a program we call “Christmas Wishes”. Through this program, the staff of Child and Family Services work with their clients to create lists of items that they would like for the holiday.
If you aren’t familiar with Child and Family Services, this is a hands-on non-profit organization offering comprehensive mental health and child welfare services to children, adults, families and those with special needs. The holidays can be an especially difficult time for these families who are facing financial difficulties brought on by depression, recovery from substance abuse, domestic abuse, loss off family members, or taking in additional family members in need.
Dear Santa…
Our goal is to provide Christmas to 200 families this year. These families are part of our Cape community. These are children who go to school with our own children. Grandparents who are spending their retirement trying to provide for their grandchildren rather than themselves. They may be the person cashing you out at the supermarket or waiting in line with you at the DMV, or in the waiting room at the doctor’s office. Perhaps it’s the father whom you pass every day waiting for the bus to take his children to school, so he can catch another bus to take him to work. Or the quiet teenager you see walking home by herself after school.
Each year I am humbled by Christmas lists that ask for items many of us take for granted: sheets, warm clothing, work boots, money for transportation, small toys and gift cards for groceries. This morning, I was brought to tears by a family who was asking for shampoo and conditioner for 2 little girls.
Do you think you could be Santa this year?
The Christmas Wishes program is personal. We do not ask for cash donations. We will give you a shopping list from a specific family within the Christmas Wishes program. Your donations are not bussed to a warehouse at an undisclosed location. Your gifts will go from you to the drop off location (any of the Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod locations or the CCB-Media offices in Hyannis) and then directly to Child and Family Services for the clinicians to deliver to the families.
Just in case you still don’t believe, I want you to read a note written by one of the families we helped last year:
We want to thank you so very much for your kindness and generosity. It’s beautiful to see, in these modern and difficult times, that there are thoughtful and loving people still out there, like you. While we may not have much, we are a happy and grateful family. You have truly touched our hearts and come Christmas morning, the hearts of our beautiful children. After all, that is indeed what the holiday is all about. The togetherness of family, the sentiment of kindness and good tidings to your neighbor and the love of your fellow man, be them friend or stranger. You have more than expressed that sense of Christmas cheer by thinking of us in your life’s journey. If ever comes the day we can show you the same level of care and thoughtfulness that you had for us, we will be more than happy to do so without a single hesitation. Until then, we hold you in our hearts and will pay it forward with every chance we have. Bless you.
For more information about Christmas Wishes, and to sponsor a family, please visit: https://www.capecod.com/featured-slider/christmas-wishes-cape-codders-need-your-help/
Thank you and I hope the magic of the holidays surround you and your loved ones!
Cat Wilson (AKA: That Girl in the Morning on Cape Country 104)
PS: In case you are curious, there was a very long period of time when I did not believe in Santa. Today, thanks to Christmas Wishes and the amazing spirit of our Cape Cod community, I know for a FACT that Santa is alive an well!
About Cat Wilson
