Gifts to the poor....

Do you consider yourself wealthy, poor or perhaps comfortable? What do you use as a tool to judge that upon? Do you give a little or a lot of your Christmas back to the community you live in?
I, in years past thought of myself as poor, you know poor me, that kind of poor. This year I have to say I am wealthy beyond my wildest dreams, No, I don't mean rich with money to burn. I think of myself wealthy because of my friendships, my family and my ability to give to people less fortunate than me. This year I took 2 families names from the Angel tree at my place of worship and decided that I could give them a little food, some clothes and some toys for the Children, mostly I wanted to give them the Christmas Spirit that I have been blessed this year with. I donated around ---.-- to this cause.... It isn't the dollar figure that counts to me, although my sweet Husband did count the $ leaving his pocket, LOL, God Bless Georg and his frugal nature..... I bought each family a ham, I bought all the stuff to go with it to make a dinner that they could also have left overs with. I made home made cookies and candies so that they felt that homemade love. I took toys and diapers and even some blankets I found on sale at the store I was, when the first miracle happened.I also found clothes for each of the kids there, I decided that the Families needed a reason to remember the Christ in Christmas and so I bought each family a small Nativity set. This did cost money, but I am really not worried about that. I like Joy, I like giving and I like knowing that for at least the few I could help, are going to have it a bit easier. I hope that my actions will help them find a reason to keep the Christmas spirit in their hearts, always.....
The local salvation army likes the giver to remain anonymous when giving and that works for most, but I like to check up on how the family is after Christmas, so I go through a different method when selecting my families..... So after Christmas this year I will be following the Families I helped, I would like to make sure the kids don't miss out on books, paper, pencils, you know the things they need for School, I would like to know if they face crisis like, lack of clean clothes and loosing their electric , or even having the food every day, that I can either help or even point them in the right direction for help. I'm not rich by any means, BUT I know I can help in ways that maybe others wont.
What I'm asking YOU though, Is can YOU help.... Can you find a family to help through the year?
Can you give of your time, your wealth, your heart?
Please do, I promise you that you will find the most amazing joy from it, It may keep Christmas in your heart through the year not just in December........
Join Christy Z and spread the epidemic of " a random act of kindness" one act at a time.....
Yes she is running a contest, But I do this every year, not just because of a prize,which in truth I would give back to my community if I won......
I would like to wish each of you the joyful feeling of giving......
Peace and.....
Merry Christmas.......