Santa Forgot Me

How does a parent explain to their children that Santa must have forgotten to stop at their home? How do parents get sleep when they cry into a pillow most of the night, heartbroken that they cannot give their children a Christmas? As we sit and look at our decorated Christmas tree, and sip hot cocoa by the fire, how can we not acknowledge those in our own community that are without a Christmas for their children.

I reflect on Christmases as a child. We were not wealthy people, but somehow my parents managed to provide gifts, clothing and food for us children each Christmas. We may not have gotten exactly what we asked Santa for in our crayon-written letters, but just the same we got something.

I cannot imagine the heartbreak a small child must feel dashing out to the living room on Christmas morning, seeking a package - just one - and not getting anything. Frantically looking all over the house, praying secretly to find even a small rag doll or matchbox car. The hunt would eventually turn up nothing more than what was there before. No bows, colorful wrapping paper, or even an unwrapped toy with "from Santa" scrawled on the box. Returning to school after Christmas, these children will be asked "what did you get for Christmas?" The answer will be a tearful "nothing."

Recently, it was brought to my attention just how much of a reality this is. Right here in my own community. A community where half-million dollar homes are the "norm," and a Lexus car can be found on any parking lot at any given time. Shopping centers and City Hall are decorated with cheerful artwork of Santa, elves, and reindeer. These children that will not receive anything are blissfully unaware as they smile while viewing the flashing lights and listening to carols. Their cherub-like faces showing excitement for a holiday they will never have.

My daughter, a senior in high school entered a mentoring program this year. High school seniors are placed with random children considered at-risk. These children are elementary and middle school aged. Children still lost in the innocence of sugarplums dancing in their heads as they pray each night that the one toy they want more than anything will be left for them this year.

My daughter's best friend (we will call her J) is also in the mentoring program, and was placed with a small girl in elementary school. During a conversation this week, J asked the little girl what she wanted for Christmas, unaware that the answer would break her heart. The little girl gave a simple answer, "a home." She didn't stop there. She added that her two siblings didn't want toys (as most children do) they wanted clothing and shoes. J's eyes welled up with tears, unable to fathom how children would want necessities over toys for Christmas. With the weather getting cold, these children just want to be warm, and have something nice to wear to school, not toys.

This event hit me like a sledge hammer. I overhear people complaining that they can't get their hands on a PlayStation 3, or Nintendo Wii - yet some children would be happy to have a sweater, pair of jeans, and some shoes without holes in them in lieu of games, dolls, or trucks. No child should ever have to wake up Christmas morning to nothing, when so many people in that community drive a Hummer or Lexus. No parent should ever have to sit up half the night on Christmas Eve, concocting a story of how Santa must have "forgotten" them. Poverty doesn't mean parents are lazy, or don't want to work. It could happen to anyone.

Many of us that have a home, and Christmas gifts under the tree are only two paychecks away from being homeless. If you think that's far-fetched, look at your credit card bills after Christmas and imagine you are laid off work without notice. How would you pay your mortgage or rent, electricity, other utilities, and those credit card bills on Unemployment Compensation? In my state, Unemployment Compensation checks are only 60% of the last job's pay rate.

No one aspires to live in poverty, and no child should ever have that horrible reality. Christmas is no exception. Communities should come together and ensure that their neighbors will have a Christmas for their children. Rallying together and coming up with ways to reach out and put gifts in homes of children that would otherwise do without is what makes a community. Even if you do not personally know someone in this situation, chances are one of your children has a classmate with holes in their shoes that wears the same outfit every other day. It's time we talk to our children, and reach out, if only during the Holidays.

I challenge each reader of this article to take action. I have taken the liberty of offering a few ideas.

- Place a coffee can on your desk at work with "Change for Children" on a homemade label. Present that coffee can to your neighborhood school, and explain what it's for - Christmas for a child that otherwise wouldn't have one. Most schools do have programs to help those in need for the Holidays, but their budget is usually so small, that your help might mean they can reach more children.

- Start your own drives for clothing, toys, and food - don't wait around for an organization to do so. Your own children can help with this. It will make them feel good to have a purpose and make a difference.

- Reach out to your church, lodge, or knitting circle for help with ideas or collections. The more heads, the better. Never underestimate your friends, colleagues, and family members.

My hope is that more children will be given a Christmas because I took the initiative to make a difference. Bringing this issue to the attention of those that might be unaware, I hope that I can reach even one person that is as passionate about this as I am.