Building Character in our Community

I wanted to share with you how I spent one evening just three nights before Christmas. The Executive Director of Community Bridges, Roy Gerstenberger, had received an email from United Way of Merrimack County saying that they had three fully decorated Christmas trees to donate. Roy forwarded that email to me. I had just the family in mind and called United Way right away. After explaining this particular situation, United Way agreed to donate the tree to the family and they drove the tree, from Target in Concord, to my home in Tilton so that I could deliver it.

I received one of the three, 7-foot beautiful trees graciously donated from the Target store in Concord, fully lit and fully decorated with the most beautiful antique style ornaments.

The story of the family who received the tree is amazing as well. A young, single mother had recently moved into the area, relocating abruptly due to domestic violence. As is common in most situations like hers, she lost most of everything she owned. All of her funds had been used to secure an apartment for her children, although she had received two Christmas gifts from city welfare - one for each of her young child. Partners in Health had been helping to refer and collect donations for her, but her children still didn’t have a tree. The Teddy Bear Fund offered to help deliver it.

The next day I received a call from the Teddy Bear Fund - one of the deliverers had fallen down the stairs while delivering presents. They needed help with deliveries. I called friends of Partners in Health and one of them offered to come and help, as did one of our council members. Families were called and final arrangements for deliveries were quickly made. Finally it was time to deliver the tree. It was about 9 o’clock at night when we delivered the tree and it was just such a wonderful moment, one that made my volunteers and me feel incredible – I just had to share it with you.

The family did not yet have beds. When we arrived, the children were sound asleep in sleeping bags on the carpeted living room floor of the three-room apartment. We were able to set up the tree in the room without waking the children. Donated presents were left as well. I can’t tell you how it felt to think about how these little ones waking up so surprised to find their Christmas tree, fully decorated, and Christmas presents under it.

The impact of the generosity of Target Stores, United Way of Merrimack County, and the gift of this tree will be a wonderful Christmas memory not only for the family, but also for me and the volunteers for a long time.

Considering the new move, the children were anxious that Santa would not be able to find them. Following the holiday, the mother reported that the children were thrilled and relieved to know that Santa had been able find them in their new home. Santa really is miraculous.

Janice Boudreau
Partners in Health, Community Bridges
Coordinator