Posted on 12/13/2011 3:59:22 AM PST by Conservative Vermont Vet
A Christmas Jar is a pickle jar, peanut butter jar, Mason jar or whatever else you have around to collect your spare change each day.
All coins are dedicated to the jar, and during the week before Christmas you carefully select someone to give it to anonymously. Was a neighbor laid off? Is a coworker struggling with health problems? Has a friend lost a loved one?
Simply put your jar on their porch, in their car, on their desk--wherever--and you could change their life for good!
I’ve been meaning to post this for the past 2 years and just never got around to it and though many may be aware of this fairly new tradition, some may not, thus though it is late in the “Season,” there is still time—for those so inclined and able—to make a difference in someone’s life.
I first heard about this on the Glenn Beck show (yeah, I know, but 3 years ago, he still had some good shows) and as it was almost this time of year, I decided to participate.
As many do, I had a box where I threw all my spare change in and counted it and it came up to a little over $50.
As I wanted to give a little more than that, I went to the bank and picked up another $50 or so in rolls of change (quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies) and added it to what I had.
Then I went to the local grocery store and picked up a $25 Gift Certificate.
I couldn’t find a (single) mason jar (they only sold them in case lots) so I picked up (from the Dollar Store) a nice Christmas metal tin and put all the change loosely in it and the Gift Certificate (From Santa).
Next I was left with the decision on who to give it too.
While hardly “affluent” (I’m retired on a fixed income) most of the people in my neighborhood (though hardly rich by any standard) are not in the “poor” category.
Moreover, I didn’t want to just leave it (as it suggested) on someone’s door step I didn’t know, as there is always the possibility of some teenager or neer-do-well spotting it and grabbing it for themselves.
Thus I turned to the Priest at my Church and asked him to give it to some needy family in the Parish which he did.
I specified that I wanted it to go to a family with little children as I remember when growing up “poor” how my Mom struggled to get my Sis and I something to put under the tree.
He did and reported after the Holidays how happy it had made that family.
THUS, again, it’s not too late for anyone interested in doing something like this, either for a neighbor “in need” or using a local Church or similar Organization.
Simply find a suitable container and go to your bank/credit Union (you may have to go to more than one, as I find banks are chintzy with giving out several rolls of coins unless you have an account with them and are a business) and get whatever amount you want to give and open the rolls and dump it in the container.
I included the Gift Certificate as an added little touch as poor people often struggle to put together a “Special Meal.”
This will be my 3rd year doing this and though I won’t say how much I give, I now do give out more than one jar.
AS AN ASIDE, while one could easily just slip a Hundred Dollar Bill or Fifty or whatever amount one desire in an envelope and accomplish the same thing…..
…it is the anticipation of the recipients and their family wondering how much is there an their counting all the change (usually together) that makes it that much more enjoyable for those on the receiving end.
For more information on this great idea, go to this Web Page and read about how this practice has touched many lives.
And here is the (You Tube) Glenn Beck interview with the person who started this (Jason Wright, who also wrote a book by the same name) tradition.
PLEASE, FOR THOSE WHO HAVE WRITTEN BECK OFF (AS I HAVE) PUT ASIDE YOUR ANIMOSITY/PREJUDICES AS IT’S WELL WORTH THE TIME TO VIEW THIS, BUT FAIR WARNING, HAVE A HANKY/KLEENEX AT THE READY!
Glenn Beck interviews Jason Wright
PS: In the interview, Beck talks about setting this out on Christmas Eve.
I usually try to get my jars into the recipients hands at least a week before Christmas to allow the family time to purchase some gifts and do some shopping they might normally would been able to do.
God Bless all and a Merry Christmas.
Michael
Nam Vet
Burlington, VT
Michael, that is a great idea. Thanks for posting it. I happen to have just such a peanut jar on the dresser at home, and we’ve sort of “adopted” a local Baptist church down in our neighborhood in the Northern Neck. We change the flag at the old one-room schoolhouse they’re preserving when it gets tattered, and I’ll bet the pastor there knows a family that would appreciate my jar of coins. And the food certificate is a good idea too.
Semper Fi from another Vietnam veteran. Have a great Christmas.
TC
Semper Fi from another Vietnam veteran. Have a great Christmas.
TC
Thank you my brother and the same to you and your family. Stay well, watch your 6 and God Bless.
PS: For all our Vets/Serving Military, families and others who support our Wonderful Warriors, here is another worthwhile giving to consider.
Checked them out and they are legit.
As someone (and not doubt you can relate) who spent more than one Christmas away from home/family, this is a very worthwhile endeavor.
Check it out and pass it on:
"NO SOLDIER SPENDS CHRISTMAS ALONE; SEND EVERY WOUNDED WARRIOR HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS."
It’s such a loving idea,yet,I will no longer donate anything through a third party because I don’t know if my donation will go to illegal aliens.
It’s such a loving idea,yet,I will no longer donate anything through a third party because I don’t know if my donation will go to illegal aliens.
Though I tend to agree, if you are referring to the Christmas Jar, you can actually pick whom you want as the recipient.
Failing that, I think one can safely "Trust" your local Pastor, Priest, Minister, Rabbi, etc.
I'd draw the line if it were an "Imam" though. lol
As for the 2nd (donating to help bring a wounded Warior Home for the Holidays) I checked them out and they appear legitimate.
This is a wonderful idea. For years, we had the “Happy Birthday, Jesus” box. Essentially, I get a box and buy canned grocery items that are on sale. The kids use some of their own money to purchase the food as well. Then we deliver it to the homeless/soup kitchen near Christmas. Since I start my collection near Thanksgiving, I don’t feel a financial pinch. The kids get the biggest kick out of delivering the box!
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