[Lisa] It started, for a Strongsville mother of three, as a lesson in kindness, in sharing and in giving.
- I feel like part of my purpose is to help others and I'm trying to teach my kids that, too.
[Lisa] Seven years ago, Margaret Bosela-Klinzing and her kids adopted a family in need at Christmastime, providing necessities like hats and gloves and fun things like skateboards and toys. The next year, they expanded their effort and shopped for two families, and then four. Their friends heard about it and felt inspired to join in. From there, you might say the program snowballed, because this year, nearly 150 families will benefit from the generosity of Northeast Ohioans like Margaret.
- To me, you see a lot of things in the world that maybe aren't the best and then you see something like this where people are just coming together on a Saturday to help others. I guess, like I said, I feel like it's really inspiring.
[Lisa] Nonprofit, OhioGuidestone, which provides foster care and family services, selects area children and families in need. Margaret matches them up with volunteers who then purchase things like Cavs tickets, games, stuffed animals and household necessities, like kitchen supplies and furniture.
- There are so many out there that are in such need, overcoming adversities like families from a broken home, parents are incarcerated, they've had time incarcerated, they've lost their home, they're livin' on the streets. They're trying to rebuild themselves, so they're worried about, "Where am I gonna stay tonight," and, "Oh, now that I've got a place, "how am I gonna make this feel like home and Christmas?"
[Lisa] It takes a lot of hands to wrap gifts now numbering in the thousands, so Margaret's work isn't done yet. She convinced Pro Sports Performance to donate space and local restaurants to donate food. This past weekend, hundreds of volunteers, including a group of Strongsville High School students who adopted a family of their own, came together with tape, wrapping paper and hearts full of the spirit of giving.
- I like doing this 'cause it's anonymous. Like we said earlier, you don't know who's helping who so everyone feels like they're helping someone.
[Lisa] Rebecca Coiner, a caseworker at OhioGuidestone, gets to play Santa's elf and loves seeing the families' reactions when they deliver the gifts.
- I get chills just thinking about it because they're not expecting it and then all of a sudden, you come in with all of these big gifts and they just glow. There's tears, it's just excitement, the kids start shaking. It's the most magical thing you've ever seen.
[Lisa] Margaret says she never dreamed her lesson in kindness would grow into something this big. But she's grateful that in her community, giving is contagious.
- It's been amazing. This is more than I ever could have dreamed and I'm just so thankful. So thankful and glad that we're able to help people.