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Gratitude is one of the most important lessons I can teach my children. My hope is that they will see the world through a compassionate lens and be proactive about helping others as they are able. I am always looking for opportunities to model servanthood and gratitude, so one of our holiday traditions has been to go shopping for the children in our community who may not have a stack of presents under their Christmas Tree.
Walmart has partnered with The Salvation Army for over 40 years to collect toys for children in need through their Fill the Truck event. As we’ve done in previous years, my children and I walked through each aisle of the toy department in search of the perfect items to donate to The Salvation Army. One of the things that was very important to me was that my children pick out toys they would like. We made a shopping list based on Walmart’s Chosen By Kids Top 20 Toys List before heading into the store because it was important to me that my kids understand that these children in need deserve the best toys that we could give them.
With $50 in-hand, I let each of my children pick out one toy for a boy and a girl and then together they picked out something more gender-neutral. Even at 3 weeks before Christmas, we were able to pick up Flutterbye Fairy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Stretch N Shout Leo, and an awesome (and generously-sized) Activity Kit that could be used by boys and girls. We also received a very generous supply of toys from Fisher Price’s new Dora and Friends Toy Line so we added a few dolls to donate.
My son is really beginning to understand that the world is so much bigger than the walls in our home, and it warms my heart that he was able to give so generously. I know that he would have preferred to give something that didn’t mean as much to him, but giving generously and graciously from the heart is a value that he will take with him as he grows up. After we donated the toys, I sat down with each of my children to talk to them about why we give each year and how important it is to help others whenever we can. We have been on the receiving end of blessings too numerous to count over the past year and giving to The Salvation Army was just one small way we were able to express our gratitude.
There are an endless number of organizations you and your family can donate to this year, but what we like about The Salvation Army is that they seek to meet human needs and share the love of Christ in a way that is non-discriminatory and non-threatening. If you have the means, I highly encourage you to consider donating toys through Walmart’s Fill the Truck promotion, which ends in-stores on December 14th and online December 25th. Know that 100% of gift card donations will be combined into $25 Walmart Gift Cards and sent to the Salvation Army’s 40 regional distribution centers across the US. The Salvation Army will give these Gift Cards to families in need so they can purchase toys, clothing, and gifts for their children.
For more information or to find a store near you, visit Walmart.com/FillTheTruck.
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