We were visiting extended family in Florida at Christmas time one year, and they invited us to participate in the Christmas Store at their church while we were there. The Christmas Store is FULL of donated gifts for families in need to come “shop” for gifts their kids – all at no charge to them.

Our son was very moved by the experience, and asked the following year if there was something we could do closer to home to help someone in need for Christmas. We found a non-profit running an “adopt a child” program for Christmas, and our son chose a 13-year-old boy and was so excited to get him everything on his wish list. After Christmas our son told us he loved adopting the boy, but also said, “Next year we have to go see our Florida family again so we can be involved in the Christmas Store!”