The real spirit of the season

[OakRidgeStars]

Nothing shows your Christmas spirit quite like helping a complete stranger.

--

Anonymous donors pay strangers' Christmas layaway accounts

After a Good Samaritan helped her pay off the layaway bill she'd accumulated to buy Christmas gifts for her grandchildren, Lori Stearnes planned to collect her paycheck today and head to Kmart anyway.

Her new plan: Pay the stranger's kindness forward by using the money she'd budgeted to instead support somebody else.

"It just gives you a warm feeling," said Stearnes, 53, of Omaha. "... With all the things going on the world, just to have someone do that is so, I don't know, it's hard to put into words."

At Kmart stores across the country, Santa seems to be getting some help: Anonymous donors are paying off strangers' layaway accounts, buying the Christmas gifts other families couldn't afford, especially toys and children's clothes set aside by impoverished parents.

Stearnes said at first she thought it was a joke when someone from the Omaha store called to say someone had paid off most of her layaway bill for toys and outfits she bought for the youngest four of her seven grandchildren.

The total bill was about $250, but after the stranger helped, she only had a $58 balance, she said. Stearns, who cleans medical instruments at a hospital, said she and her husband, Lloyd, live paycheck to paycheck and that layaway often helps spread out the costs of Christmas.

Read the entire article http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti ... 1111216011

[SHMIV]

This is the kind of thing that I like to hear about.

[OleMan]

Nothing shows your Christmas spirit quite like helping a complete stranger.

--

Anonymous donors pay strangers' Christmas layaway accounts

After a Good Samaritan helped her pay off the layaway bill she'd accumulated to buy Christmas gifts for her grandchildren, Lori Stearnes planned to collect her paycheck today and head to Kmart anyway.

Her new plan: Pay the stranger's kindness forward by using the money she'd budgeted to instead support somebody else.

"It just gives you a warm feeling," said Stearnes, 53, of Omaha. "... With all the things going on the world, just to have someone do that is so, I don't know, it's hard to put into words."

At Kmart stores across the country, Santa seems to be getting some help: Anonymous donors are paying off strangers' layaway accounts, buying the Christmas gifts other families couldn't afford, especially toys and children's clothes set aside by impoverished parents.

Stearnes said at first she thought it was a joke when someone from the Omaha store called to say someone had paid off most of her layaway bill for toys and outfits she bought for the youngest four of her seven grandchildren.

The total bill was about $250, but after the stranger helped, she only had a $58 balance, she said. Stearns, who cleans medical instruments at a hospital, said she and her husband, Lloyd, live paycheck to paycheck and that layaway often helps spread out the costs of Christmas.

Read the entire article http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti ... 1111216011

From Acts 20:35; NIV Bible 1984:

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

[Janet33]

What a wonderful day spent in the true Bowen Island spirit ...

I started with enjoying my sons Christmas performance at the annual BICS Christmas pageant. To listen to the wee ones sing those carols would make even the scrooge's of the world hearts melt. Then I was off to support those small business' that really do make a difference in all of our lives.

Stopping at my own studio in Deep Bay I picked up my order of cloth diapers from locally made Green Line Diapers. Then off to Gino's just reopened coffee and tea house for some stocking stuffers, a beautiful cup of organic tea and a nice visit with some locals. With tea in hand I made my way over to the Whimsey's Emporium for a few more items to be checked off my list. The First Credit Union was next on my schedule to deposit my millions so I could carry on with my Christmas list. They are always so friendly and helpful making the switch from the "big bank" was easy for me with the kind of service that I consistently get from the gang at First CU.

Next was a stop at Fabulous finds to say hello to my friend and neighbor Susan. I am so happy for her and what she is creating for us on Bowen in her little shop. Last stop before home was The Phoenix to find a couple of things for my son to round out my Christmas shopping. With a tree purchased from the Ruddy a week ago, it is eagerly awaiting its role of watching over the presents that fill my children's dreams and wishes.

In a perfect world I wish that I could purchase all of my Christmas gifts here on Bowen. Yet spending the day wandering in the cove, saying hello to old friends and neighbors, with a warm cup of tea in my hands, after watching my son and many of our Bowen children sing Christmas Carols, even with the rain, that is what I call the true spirit of Christmas .... As a small business owner myself it is always appreciated when the locals support is there for us. This is also why I in turn pay it forward by contributing what I can to this community.

So at this time I would like to thank all of you who have supported me and my own small business over the years with a big wish of Happy Holidays, however you celebrate .....

Many Blessings,