Being
Secret Santa is a job that I find very challenging, exhausting at times,
pressure packed but most of all rewarding. All the pressure is my own doing; I want
to try and help as many as I can. I could easily walk away from what I do all
year round and fade off in the sunset but when I realize that the potential of possibly
inspiring people in our communities to think of others, to make the world a
better place for all of our children to grow up in, I can’t.
As I am here
reflecting on all the highs and lows of this past year I keep finding myself
wondering “did our hard work make a difference in even one person’s life”? The
answer I came up with and you should too is “YES”. The reason I say that, my
life has changed, I have seen a renewed spirit of Christmas giving not just in December
but all throughout the year. I have witnessed change in attitudes of people
that I could never imagine. I have seen an out pouring of support from people
who I don’t even know towards people they don’t even know. Just when you think
that you have lost faith in the human spirit, something happens and you can truly
see just how much we all care for one another.
I have been
able to meet some fantastic people through my new found social media connection
and I am glad that after 5 years of being a secret person in our communities I have
been able to share the events of my daily life and have YOU, the followers be a
contributor to the cause. Some of you have met me and agreed to keep my
identity secret and I thank you for that, it will never be about me, it will
always be about who we can help. For the people who have met me you can vouch
that I am just a normal guy, not rich just a white collar guy that gets up for
work every day just like each and every one of you do. That is what makes this
job great! Anyone can do it, YES that means you!
As you may
or may not know a lot of what I do comes from my own pocket I would like to
send a special thanks to some people for making my job as FVSS easier.
·
Tim
Horton’s – gift cards
·
Sunrise
Toyota – hats mittens and toques for the homeless/ food drives
·
BC
Lions – tickets for 2 disabled persons to attend a game – various items
·
Scott
Rintoul and Team 1040 – give away prizes
·
Rocky’s
tree farm – generous donations to the disabled
The people and organizations mentioned do so much for our community and
should be recognized for their efforts. You all make a positive impact. THANK
YOU
The last one I would like to thank is my amazing and special wife and
family who stand behind me and support what I do. Even though my children do
not know who FVSS is and what daddy does, I make sure that they are involved and
help to donate at times to learn about the spirit of giving.
It has been a tough year in the Santa household at times with Mrs. Santa
off having a baby and struggling with a horrible EI decision on her maternity benefits.
(All finally worker out now)The great thing about Family is that we all stuck
together and made the best of what we had.I could not ask for a better mother to my children. I am so proud of my boys and the
strides that they have taken to becoming young men. My oldest son who is 7 went
from being moved from 5 different schools and being a boy that people said couldn’t
be taught to a straight “A” student in his new school. My 4 year old has gone
from daddy’s baby to being a respectful young man who now is attending
pre-school and finally starting to enjoy it! along with developing a fantastic
personality. My 5 month old is just a happy baby who fills each day with
smiles and laughter. I truly am the luckiest man in the world. The FVSS
household suffered a huge loss this year when one of our animal family members passed,
our Great Dane Portia will be sorely missed by the family and her friend
Bailee, she was an amazing animal. We do have a new addition for Bailee to play
with, Shelby is a 5 month old Great Dane, and the two have become close friends
and play a lot.
There are so many drops and donations, avocations and promotion of
charities and worthy causes that I simply could not name them all. I do know
that I am proud to say that the followers of FVSS have played a role in each
one of them; I thank you all for that.
So often the holiday season ends and people go back to the reality of
life and the duties of our busy lives. I would hope for the New Year that you
all will continue to follow FVSS and get the people you know to join with me to
create smiles, hope and happiness for the people in our communities and around
the world all year long.
For all who read this I truly wish you and your family a magical
Christmas and a very Happy New Year
And always remember
“It’s not what’s under
the tree during the holidays; it’s about the people who are surrounding it”
Love and Joy to everyone
