It’s like we uttered the words from the famous reply to the 1897 editorial in The (New York) Sun, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus," and our wish came true.
Ever since 2012, an anonymous Tocqueville Society donor has given an additional substantial donation in support of The Giving Fund, a partnership of The News-Times and United Way of Western CT. Each week from Thanksgiving through Christmas, The News-Times publishes heart wrenching stories of local neighbors who have fallen on hard times in search of local donors for The Giving Fund.
What started as the simple writing of a check has evolved into a unique family holiday tradition for this generous donor. During the week of Thanksgiving, when the first Giving Fund stories appear in The News-Times, this donor begins to share the stories with his adult children. Each week, as new cases are published, he continues to share them with his family members. Even the grandchildren learn to give back at an early age by also taking part in this wonderful family giving tradition. When the family gathers together in December, each family member discusses the stories that impact them the most. After rounds of conversation, the family selects the stories to which they’d like to donate.
Last year, the donor and his family went above and beyond to help one of the families. One story profiled a woman known as the matriarch of her large family. Unfortunately, the woman became a hospice patient due to a life-limiting illness. With her family already struggling financially, the three grandchildren had to share one bed. All Maria wanted was for her grandchildren to have their own mattresses. Not only did this generous donor provide mattresses, he provided brand new beds and all of the bedding.
This is a heartfelt example of how United Way supporters come together and teach the next generation the true meaning of giving during the holidays. The Giving Fund, along with other holiday programs including Christmas Wish and holiday fruit baskets, is generously supported by local caring donors that take pleasure in spreading joy beyond their own homes during the holidays.
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