It seems that every year around the holidays people tend
to get sucked into the "me" way of life. The excitement of the holidays
can do that to some people and no one is immune to it, especially
children. But how do you teach your children that it's not always about
what they receive but the meaning behind the actual holiday and how amazing if feels
to help out those that may be less fortunate then them.
I will admit this has been a struggle in our house at times. Last year we donated about six boxes worth of old toys, clothes and miscellaneous items to a local shelter and the way our kids eyes lit up knowing what they were doing was helping another child out was heart warming but with kids it's not always something that sticks with them. It should be a constant way of life. One of the easiest ways I have found of making something like this the norm for children is by making it a tradition.
This year I plan to participate in the Angel Giving Tree with my family. The Angel Giving Tree program is an online adoption program that allows customers to provide children, teenagers and seniors in need with Christmas gifts. JcPenney has made it very convenient for customers to shop, buy and then ship their gifts from the convenience of their own homes anywhere in the country. You can even choose an angel based upon the location, age or gender. UPS has also joined the efforts so you don't even have to worry about paying for shipping. For every Angel Giving Tree gift purchased through JCP.com the gift will be shipped for free to the local Salvation Army collection center of the angel you have chosen.
I will admit this has been a struggle in our house at times. Last year we donated about six boxes worth of old toys, clothes and miscellaneous items to a local shelter and the way our kids eyes lit up knowing what they were doing was helping another child out was heart warming but with kids it's not always something that sticks with them. It should be a constant way of life. One of the easiest ways I have found of making something like this the norm for children is by making it a tradition.
This year I plan to participate in the Angel Giving Tree with my family. The Angel Giving Tree program is an online adoption program that allows customers to provide children, teenagers and seniors in need with Christmas gifts. JcPenney has made it very convenient for customers to shop, buy and then ship their gifts from the convenience of their own homes anywhere in the country. You can even choose an angel based upon the location, age or gender. UPS has also joined the efforts so you don't even have to worry about paying for shipping. For every Angel Giving Tree gift purchased through JCP.com the gift will be shipped for free to the local Salvation Army collection center of the angel you have chosen.
This year there is an option to create a Group through Angel Giving Tree. This is perfect if you would like to adopt more then 10 angels say with a group of friends, your company or a church group.
The Salvation Army and JcPenney have held the Angel Giving Tree for three years now. In 2010, nearly 70,000 angels were adopted online. That's 70,000 people that were given a gift for the holidays that might not have received one without the Angel Giving Tree. Isn’t that amazing.
I will be co-hosting a Twitter party in celebration of the Angel Giving Tree program tomorrow, November 16th from 7pm EST-8pm EST. We will be talking about ways to give back and learning more about the Angel Giving Tree program.
Here are the details for the twitter party!
- When: Wednesday, November 16th 7pm-8pm EST
- Hashtag: #jcpangel
- Hosts: @2Wired2Tired, @busymom and @shanamama9197
- Prizes: 12 winner will each receive a $25.00 gift card to JC Penneys
