This year we were in full catalogue mode with the boys obsessed with looking through magazines with toys, legos, and guys. They would circle all the things they want (spoiler alert, they circled just about everything.) We had lots of conversations about how blessed we are to be able to have so many books and toys to play with. We have Mom, and Dad, and Grammie, and Grandad, and so much family that loves us.
One night, Dax and Jed were working really hard to make sure they got every toy in a magazine. We had a long conversation about kids who don’t have the same toys and blessings that we do. “What kids?” Dax asked, genuinely curious. We talked about kids who were less privileged. We talked about kids who had cancer, or other sicknesses, and were struggling with sadness. “Well, who gives them toys?” Dax asked. “We can,” we responded.
We picked out a few organizations that were close to our hearts, and let the boys put their circling efforts to good use by picking out toys for kids who could use some more happiness in their lives.
We donated to three different organizations that we had been talking about a lot this year.
Doernbecher Children's Hospital
For several years while Spencer was battling cancer, he spent a lot of time in this hospital. In the past (like Family Service 2019) we’ve gotten to make blankets for the long-term care center where Spencer spent time. But this hospital was where the doctors did their work to help kids like Spencer. Today, there are hundreds of kids there, struggling with cancer, and all the sadness that comes with it. The boys got to go through their wishlist’s and pick out toys that got them excited, and they were excited to share with those kids.
St. Jude’s Children’s Association
We also donated a LOT of superhero toys for the kids that St. Jude’s helps as they struggle with cancer. Dax was especially excited to pick out some lego super hero sets for the kids.
Center For Human Rights in Iran
We also donated to help children who have been impacted by human rights violations in Iran. This year, Mahsa Amini was killed by police officers in Iran for not wearing her hijab correctly. Women are consistently oppressed in Iran, and that leaves thousands of children without the support they need from families. We donated to help pay for toys, clothes, and care for these children.
When we’ve been so blessed with everything we could possibly want, every holiday season is an amazing opportunity to reflect on what we have to be grateful for, and how we can reach out to help people, especially other children, who don’t have the same opportunities as we do.
Dax, especially, loves toys. He loves getting toys, building toys, thinking about toys, and giving toys. The opportunity to talk about the stories of children who are suffering, whether with health issues, or poverty, is the most important thing we can do to help Dax and the other kids get outside themselves, and understand how much we can bless those around us.