Project 1 - Christmas Cheer

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One Christmas, a man named Harold Gearhart was putting money into envelopes and writing names on the envelopes.  His daughter came into the room and saw a few of the names on the envelopes.  She asked, “Why do they get a gift?  They don’t deserve it.  This individual said something terrible to you, and this individual has been treating everyone horribly.”  Harold looked at his daughter and said, “It is Christmas time; everybody gets a gift.”

 

The definition of the word cheer is, “to give comfort to.”   We all have moments in life where not only to we need comfort, but we need hope!  Hope that better days are ahead.  In 2017, we were in New York City visiting some friends over Christmas.  One morning my wife Rachel had the idea to go out and give away donuts, hot chocolate, and coffee.  We spent $250 at Dunkin Donuts.  Rachel and I and our three boys then started walking the streets of Manhattan.  The response was amazing!  Almost everyone was receptive to begin given a free donut and a hot drink on a cold winter day.  Some people moved on with a simple, “thank you.”  Some would stop and talk with us for a few minutes.  And on occasion, someone would break down in tears letting us know that it was exactly what they needed that day.  Everyone we met, left with a glimmer of comfort and hope that better days were ahead.  We called that day “Christmas Cheer.”  We have been doing “Christmas Cheer” in New York City and Orlando the last 6 years.  In addition, we have expanded beyond just donuts, coffee, and hot chocolate.  We have been able to give away blankets, coats, thousands of dollars’ worth of Christmas presents to those in need (including hospitals and public schools), as well as groceries and other personal needs.