December is the month for giving. Everyone is familiar with the Salvation Army Angel Tree and what it provides for the less fortunate children of the community. There is a problem with the system though and it does bother me. Someone within the Salvation Army system is making it very difficult for those of us that want to give the gifts to pick something appropriate for the child. Here is an example….
The card has the child’s first name, gender, age, and clothing size. It has a line for needs (usually clothing or shoes), and a line for wants. This all sounds simple enough, but in this modern age where most things are tailor made and high tech it makes it very difficult to give the child something suitable for that individual. The little girl whose angel card I received is 11 her “want” was a Gameboy© and some games. They do not make those or their games anymore, and even a used one is $45 if you can find one. The new pocket sized game system that took the place of it is about $75 used, and we are not supposed to give used gifts to the Angel Tree. Now I am in a pickle because I know nothing about this little girl that will help me choose a suitable gift within my price range. If she liked dolls, should I get her a White one or a Black one or an Asian one? Does she have computer access? What about a yard to play in? I really need a little more info to go on so that I can put some constructive thought into helping this little girl get more than clothes for Christmas. 11 and 12 year old “tweens” are hard to buy for anyway because they are not little kids and they are not big kids. But is there a solution? I think so, but they have to be willing to share with me a little more information.
What if the angels looked just the same as they do now, but with a pin number for each one on the back that would allow me to have access to a page on a website that will give a little more detail regarding the child’s circumstances? I don’t think it compromises someone’s privacy to tell me whether or not the child has an outside play area (if I wanted to give them a scooter), access to computer, what do you want to be when you grow up, and other wants so I have more to choose from. This helps the child as much as the giver because it increases the chances that the child will get something that suits their personality.
Let’s update the system so we can bridge the gap between the giver and the receiver and make it a more enjoyable process for all involved.
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