There’s a long tradition of remarkable-but-true stories associated with the holiday season. After all, it’s the darkest and coldest time of year (in the northern hemisphere) and maybe that’s why stories of unexpected generosity and hope stand out.
Take for instance Peggy King’s story of a last minute “Santa” who saved the day for a group of children.1
For a number of years, Peggy worked with her local Lions Club to throw a Christmas party for children with special needs who attended a nearby school. Hosted at the local fire station, the event would feature a magician, a tour of the firehouse, a special lunch, and Santa and his elf (played by Peggy) giving a gift to each child.
But one year, right before the event, Peggy got news that things were not going to go as planned. Someone from the school called to say that 60 children would be attending the party. It was wonderful that so many kids would get to participate—except that Peggy and her team had only enough gifts for 40 children.
With the party starting soon, there was no time to run out and buy more gifts.
As Peggy wondered what she was supposed to do, a man arrived at the fire station. She’d never seen him before. He asked if this was the voting location for a local referendum.
Peggy told him, “Not at this firehouse. We have a Christmas party.”
He said, “If you’re here for a party, why the long faces?”
She explained the problem. How could they send twenty children home without a present?
The man said he might be able to help and disappeared. Minutes later he was back, loaded down with bags of toys. Quickly, Peggy and her volunteers arranged them on a table and covered them with a tablecloth so that Santa could reveal the toys at the right moment.
The children loved the party. One little girl, who went home with an Easy Bake Oven, declared, “This is the best Christmas ever!”
How had the unknown man been able to produce so many toys out of thin air? Little did Peggy know that her “random” visitor was Marine Major Tom Quigley, one of the local organizers for the Corps’ Toys for Tots program.
It was a remarkable coincidence. Some would even say a Christmas miracle.
But it’s good to remember all the people whose purposeful giving made this “miracle” possible: the Lions Club, the firefighters, Peggy and all her volunteers, and the Marines and everyone who gave to their toy drive.
This season, we encourage you to do something to make someone else’s holiday one that they will always remember. Give your time as a volunteer. Buy gifts for a toy drive. And give generously to local charities who are helping people make it through this dark and cold time of year. What you receive in return will be priceless.
We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Regards,
Mark Lund
Stonecreek Wealth Advisors, Inc.
Fiduciary Financial Advisor
11576 S State Street, Bldg. 1002
Draper, UT 84020
Sources:
1. http://go.pardot.com/e/91522/s-ways-merry-christmas-to-all-/95zc49/2546314349/h/8ECg7979IrIyM1QwYCpWqkxwGmaNorjrOCI3giPyItw
Disclosure: This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. All economic and performance data is historical and not indicative of future results. Market indices discussed are unmanaged. Investors cannot invest in unmanaged indices. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This material was prepared by Efficient Advisors, LLC (“EA’) for Mark Lund, Mark is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor in Utah. He is known as a Wealth Advisor, The 401k Advisor, Investor Coach, Financial Planner, Investment Advisor and author of The Effective Investor. Mark offers investment advisory services through Stonecreek Wealth Advisors, Inc. a fiduciary, independent, fee-only, Registered Investment Advisor firm providing investment management and retirement planning for individuals and 401k consulting for small businesses. Mark’s newsletter is called The Effective Investor Newsletter. Cities served in Utah are: Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah County, Park City, Murray City, West Jordan City, Sandy City, Draper City, South Jordan City, Provo City, Orem City, Lehi City, Highland City, Alpine City, American Fork City. The views expressed herein are exclusively those of Efficient Advisors, LLC (‘EA’), and are not meant as investment advice and are subject to change. All charts and graphs are presented for informational and analytical purposes only. No chart or graph is intended to be used as a guide to investing. EA portfolios may contain specific securities that have been mentioned herein. EA makes no claim as to the suitability of these securities. Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. Information contained herein is derived from sources we believe to be reliable, however, we do not represent that this information is complete or accurate and it should not be relied upon as such. All opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. This information is prepared for general information only. It does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person who may receive this report. You should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in any security or investment strategy discussed or recommended in this report and should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized. You should note that security values may fluctuate and that each security’s price or value may rise or fall. Accordingly, investors may receive back less than originally invested. Investing in any security involves certain systematic risks including, but not limited to, market risk, interest-rate risk, inflation risk, and event risk. These risks are in addition to any unsystematic risks associated with particular investment styles or strategies.