As I watched the mother’s eyes dart across the table filled with toys, I could see the joy. She picked up items one-by-one and examined them, trying to decide if they would be the right fit for her child. She left with a bag full of toys, wrapping paper and bows, and a small gift wrapped for her by her son. We hugged on the sidewalk after we loaded the bags into her trunk.
It’s such a small gesture—to give a donation, to give of your time, but small gestures can leave large and lasting impressions on the receivers. They also leave large and lasting impressions on the givers.
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On Monady, Dec. 9, our newsroom received a press release from Interact, Wake County’s support organization for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, telling us that toy donations were way down this year. After communicating with the organization, I learned that they intended to serve 544 mothers and children and didn’t even have one toy per child in some of the age groups.
On Wednesday, Dec. 11, we did a story for our late news detailing their plight. On Saturday, when my daughter and I arrived to volunteer for the Holiday Bazaar, we learned that in the two days since our story aired their toy donations had more than quadrupled. Their monetary donations for gift cards almost tripled. In fact, they received so many toys that there may be a surplus that they intend to share with other nonprofits that have other similar events in the coming days.
In short, Raleigh stepped up when they heard this call. I firmly believe that everyone wants to give in some way. We just don’t always know the best way to do it. But when the information is put in front of us, our community is always willing to help.
The beauty of the Holiday Bazaar is that it is done with dignity. Mothers go “shopping” for their children, hide the gifts in large, opaque bags, and take what they need to wrap the gifts at home. While Interact served hundreds of people Saturday, the event was surprisingly orderly and calm. The mothers each had an appointment and an assigned volunteer to guide them through the process. Other volunteers played with the children and helped them pick out and wrap a gift for their mothers. No one left without smiles, many left with hugs, a few left with tears in their eyes.
So, thank you Raleigh for stepping up and responding to this call. Even though you may not have been there Saturday, rest assured your donation will be wrapped and placed beneath someone’s tree. On Christmas day, someone’s child will excitedly open that gift. That child’s mother will feel proud that she could provide some joy for her child in what may have been a year in crisis for their family. That gift, your gift, isn’t just a toy. It’s a symbol of hope—one that will likely have a large and lasting impression on the receiver.
Amanda is the mom of two, a reporter for WRAL-TV and the author of several books, including some on motherhood. Find her here on Mondays.