The Gift of Giving

This is such a great season.  For a few weeks each year we put aside our daily woes and enjoy the blessings of the Christmas season.  It is a season of giving, and while there are those who say we should carry that spirit with us throughout the year I’m just grateful that we’re able to carve out a little time from our hectic lives to share.

I got a note from Bill Scott, president of the Chattahoochee Fuller Center Project, describing one such act of kindness.  It’s a sweet tale and I’m copying it here just as I received it:

For her 9th Birthday in November, Lillie Barnes Ogata of LaGrange had something special in mind.  Her father and mother worked on the Millard Fuller Legacy Build in early September and she wanted to help but was too young to do volunteer construction work.  Her mother told her there were many ways to help, including raising money for the Chattahoochee Fuller Center Project.  So instead of getting her friends to give her traditional birthday presents on her birthday, she requested that they make a small donation to the Fuller Center.  After collecting the presents, last Saturday she presented the Project with $137 to help fund one of the CFCP’s "Greater Blessings" home renovation projects.  She brought the check to West Point and presented it to Bill Scott, President of the CFCP. Mr. Scott introduced her to 92 year old Mrs. Fannie Smith of West Point, the recipient of the latest CFCP Greater Blessing home improvement project.  Lillie Barnes is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clay Ogata of LaGrange.

What a great little tale of giving.  (Now for a brief commercial announcement:  if you would like to give a gift like this for Christmas go to our "Gifts That Give" – Christmas donation page)

On behalf of Miss Fannie and the 500 other families around the world who will celebrate Christmas in a warm and safe home this year because of the good efforts of our Covenant Partners, thank you for your support of our work. May the joy of giving make this an especially blessed season for you and yours.