Spirits raised at Christmas giveaway
The Christmas spirit arrived Dec. 17 at the Fort Myers Walmart via the generosity of the Jamiesons, Fort Myers Beach community and others who contributed to helping more than 80 families in need of some holiday assistance.
The Spirit of Christmas Foundation, in its 16th year, donated more than $25,000 to take care of holiday shopping at the Walmart on Colonial Boulevard for families dealing with the trauma of losing loved ones, medical emergencies and other difficulties that made the celebration of Christmas for their families previously unthinkable.
It was a “labor of love,” Fort Myers Beach residents Jim and Sharon Jamieson said again and again while taking care of the families during a 12-hour stay at the Walmart.
Through the collection of donations from Fort Myers Beach businesses, local philanthropists and a recent chicken dinner fundraiser, Mr. Jamieson said more than $22,000 was raised for this year’s giving.
For North Port mom Tanya, the help from the Spirit of Christmas Foundation will go to bringing Christmas to her five children.
“It’s an amazing thing to do. Very giving, compassionate,” she said. “I haven’t been able to work for seven months because my son’s been sick with cancer.”
For Christina and Danny of Cape Coral, it was clear that their pride wouldn’t allow them to explain exactly the circumstances they faced. “We’ve never been in this position,” Danny said. But they have three sons aged 16, 13 and 6, and the couple was willing to help them celebrate Christmas through the purchase of gifts and goods. The 16-year-old told his parents that all he wanted was “a pair of work boots,” Danny said. “That’s one thing we’ve instilled: work ethic, work ethic, Christina said. “If you want something, you’ve got to work.” For one of their younger sons, they picked out a Halo six-piece scooter.
While the Jamiesons collect funds from Fort Myers Beach, they concentrate on helping families in Lee and Charlotte County, where they see the greatest need for their donations. “This year, so many schools and Golisano (Children’s) Hospital are sending me names,” Mrs. Jamieson said.
For Mrs. Jamieson, the arrival of the parents to Walmart leaves can be awkward at first. “I think the problem is their coming so fast,” she said. She knows their names and stories from conversations over the phone but hasn’t met them in person. She gives them all a hug. “You can’t be everybody’s savior. The only thing I can do is say some prayers,” Mrs. Jamieson said.
“I tell them this is the last of a bad year and the start of a good year,” she said.
“We made many people very happy today. There were many tears.”