GIVING AS A TRADITION

Since 2003, the year of my birth, my family and I started a tradition we put into practice once a year.  It is a tradition I plan to continue throughout my lifetime because it is the one tradition I value the most.

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As the holiday season draws near, we begin to gather gifts in the form of blankets, sweaters, warm socks, grooming supplies, essentials and things the homeless people not only need, but want like gift cards, pre-paid cell phones, canned food (don't forget the can openers!), cologne, perfume, make-up, shaving kits and more.  It was important to us that we did not offer "used" items but rather purchase new and unused items for gifts.  Our thinking behind this is they deserve the same exact thing everyone deserves especially during the holidays.   Once we reach 100 gifts, we gift wrap them beautifully with fancy bows and make each one a handwritten card.  On Christmas morning, we all hop in the car and grab 100 hot meals (ordered ahead of time) from McDonald's or Starbucks sandwiches. 

 

Once we have everything organized, we drive in our car to Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles.  My parents usually play holiday music and roll the car window down so that people can hear we are coming.  Sometimes, the homeless don't like being surprised, so we've found that playing music alerts them of our arrival.  During Covid, we were unable to shake hands and practiced a no contact gift giving instead. 

 

This year, I am looking forward to carrying on with the tradition and hope to inspire others to do the same.  We are all in this together and collectively, we can make a difference.  At 19 years old, I know I can do more giving instead of getting.  If you or a friend would like to help, please feel free to send me a note and click here.  Cheers!