Years ago, my son came home and told me about a boy who was taking his basketball and keeping it. Since they rode the same bus, we knew where he lived. So one day we stopped by to get his basketball. After talking to the mother, I realized the kids did not have any toys and both parents were out of work. I explained it to my son that the boy wasn't being mean; he just didn't have toys at home. He asked me why the boy got to take snacks home from school on Friday and he didn't get to. He then asked if we could buy the boy the cool black basketball he had been wanting. So we went Christmas shopping for the boy and his sister. We also bought the family groceries for a Christmas dinner. My son asked that I drop everything off and just tell them an angel sent it.

Fast forward 10 years and I have another little one in elementary school. I wanted my youngest to also learn kindness, caring, compassion and giving back.

During Christmas 2022, I thought he was being too materialistic, so I figured it's the perfect time to start teaching to give to others.

Throughout the year, we will throw all our loose change and random bills into our Santa Cash jar. Around Thanksgiving, we will cash it all in for ten and twenty dollar bills. We will package it up and visit random stores up until Christmas Eve. My son can pick out whoever he wants to pass out envelopes to.

I hope to make this an annual tradition and the joy of giving becomes second nature to him.

In a world where you can be anything, be kind.