I held onto the hand of my shivering granddaughter as we waited our turn to get
into the huge barn-like building. We couldn't see inside because of the length
of the line up and so we passed our time watching the outside lineups.
Volunteers were busily placing frozen turkeys into bags at the head of one line
up and in the other, families and individuals were receiving milk.
The parking lot was filled with trucks and cars and still more were waiting to
get onto the lot. Strangely, though vehicles were blocked, no one honked nor
appeared impatient. It seemed surreal as though everyone had been touched by
something magical.
Finally we could see into the building and I was overcome with emotion as my
eyes took in hundreds of overflowing boxes. Each box filled with care
represented not only hours of time on the part of volunteers, but the generosity
and caring of hundreds of people. The boxes were filled with food for empty
stomachs. Some boxes sported brand new toys, gifts from anonymous individuals
throughout the town and area, toys for children who might otherwise go without.
I suddenly felt self-conscious, aware that tears were flowing freely down my
cheeks. I was touched by the display of kindness. I turned away from the crowds
of people to wipe away the tears, and just as I did I was to see everything in a
kind of mist and glow-like apearance. How fitting to see the "Angel Project" in
this way.
It was four days before Christmas and today marked the climax of the Angel
Project. This was the day that families in need could pick up food hampers and
toys. Everything was donated through the generosity of strangers.
Finally it was our turn at the table and I found it difficult to speak past the
lump in my throat. I was overwhelmed by all that was happening around me. Every
box in that massive room represented the love of others. Every toy had been
carefully selected, to be given away, yet the receiver and the sender would
never meet.
Instead of Christmas shopping or cleaning, instead of baking cookies or
decorating a tree, these people had dropped everything to sort, label and number
boxes, and to hand out delivery addresses to volunteers to drop off boxes for
those who had no transportation.
I could feel something extraordinary there in that building. It wasn't tangible
nor quite definable but there was something special, beyond friendliness and I
felt privileged to be there and be a part of it all.
People helped us pack the trunk and back seat of my car with food and toys for
the first family and we set off to locate the address. As we drove along I felt
blessed to have a tank full of gas and the opportunity to be among the delivery
people in the "Angel Project."
I was not prepared for the greeting we were about to receive. I located a
basement suite and when no one answered after ringing the bell I ventured down a
set of steps and began calling out. "Hello, is anyone home?" A lady opened a
door and as soon as I mentioned who I was and why I was there the woman began to
shout. She was overjoyed and was calling out to some unseen person that we were
there. Next she ran ahead of me up the stairs calling out to a neighbor,
"they're here, they're here, the Angel people are here."
She ran up to the car, out there in the snow with only socks on her feet and
began thanking us. She continued to thank us with each box we unpacked and
though we gently reminded her that we were only the delivery people, she could
not contain her joy and she continued thanking us again and again.
At the second house there were young children and when we introduced ourselves
and explained why we were there, the children were sent upstairs and were
admonished not to peek. I knew then that what we were about to unload might very
well be the total sum of their Christmas presents.
Jani carried in the teddy bears, the huge craft set and the two other toys, all
of which had been specifically chosen by Angel Project volunteers for these
children. The mother helped me with the heavier food boxes and I knew this
abundant supply would last a number of days.
As we left we exchanged "Merry Christmas" greetings. The woman paused just
before the door closed. She looked directly at me and her eyes looked misty as
she said "thank you, so much."
I shut my car door, fighting tears and a choked up feeling. This giant surge of
emotion burst inside of me as I pictured those children on Christmas morning
opening the wonderful gifts chosen by strangers. I could imagine tummies filled
and good meals throughout the season. All this, because generous individuals
opened their hearts and purse strings for people they did not know.
For Jani and I, we got to spend a special day together being a part of something
beautiful and unforgettable. And though we were delivery people that day, I
drove away feeling as though I was the one who had received the gift.
Ellie Braun-Haley shaley@telusplanet.net
Ellie says that "the more people give, the more it turns around and comes back
to you, only multiplied!" She is the author of four books and has had numerous
short stories published. She lives in Canada with her husband Shawn. Find more
of her fantastic stories in our archives:
www.2theheart.com/archives
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