Sharing the Spirit: Special gifts for community contributors
Anyone who reads a biography of the late, great Charles Dickens will learn what motivated him to write that all-time classic, “A Christmas Carol.” He grew up in a lower middle-class family, and after his father was arrested for not paying off a debt, he soon experienced pangs of hunger clawing at his belly and a cold winter wind perpetually nipping at his nose.
To help pay the debt, he went to work in a shoe polish factory alongside other children his age. He was 12. It was during those difficult times that he developed an empathy for lower class families and their struggles and a contempt for an upper class whose thirst for wealth was unquenchable and the idea of charity for the poor anathema.
In his novella, Ebenezer Scrooge, a money-hungry, greedy businessman represented the “uppers,” while his overworked, underpaid clerk, Bob Cratchit, represented the “lowers.” As almost everyone knows, Scrooge had an epiphany after being visited by the four spirits and was transformed into a compassionate, loving man who showered the family with gifts and food that Christmas. Incidentally, the character of Tiny Tim, Cratchit’s youngest and seriously ill son, was based on Dickens’ nephew.
Were he alive today, Dickens would be appalled at the gap between the haves and have nots in this, the richest country in the world. While child labor laws no longer exist, childhood poverty does, wreaking havoc in urban ghettos and underpopulated rural areas including reservations. And the pre-epiphany Ebenezers of today could care less about their plight. As for using their wealth (e.g. pay their fair share of taxes) to help narrow the income gap-bah humbug! But Dickens would have reveled in the efforts of thousands of Americans on local levels to develop programs throughout the year (e.g. food pantries) to ease the burden of those in need. He would have been especially pleased that during this time of year volunteers have bonded together to organize programs guaranteeing that deserving children also have presents under that tree.
One such effort has been in operation in the Mohawk Valley for over 40 years. Originally the Adopt-A-Child Program organized by students at Herkimer County Community College, the Gram Lorraine Children’s Christmas Program now provides each deserving child with a new winter coat, boots, four items of clothing and a toy, book or game of choice. Since its inception, an estimated 20,000 children attending seven area schools have been served. My wife Kay and I run the Migrant Education branch. This year our sponsors included workers at the Lexington Corp., members of the Greater Herkimer Lions Club, faculty-staff and men’s soccer team at Herkimer College and individual men and women whose generosity transcended political and religious divisions-true manifestations of Dickens’ Christmas spirit. And once again, as he has for several years, my autistic grandson Andrew James Snyder raised the money to purchase Christmas trees for 10 families.
This year most of our recipients are the children of immigrants who have been here awhile, hold jobs, pay taxes, contribute to the local economy and send a few pesos to families back home.
Several are citizens, as are their children. One of the latter Kay and I sponsored is named Maykel. His “special” request was a soccer ball. My wife, the “Queen of Shoppers,” renowned for her compassion and generosity, got him a blue soccer ball (his favorite color), soccer jersey, Levis, new coat, etc., etc. (Kay is not unique-our sponsors take ’tis better to give than receive to a new level). I sincerely hope that Maykel and his friends will get to play their favorite game this spring on a local pitch instead of in a detention camp in Texas. I know Dickens would have shared my hope.
Dickens’ work inspired several Christmas traditions which are still popular today including family gatherings, seasonal food and drink and a “festive generosity of spirit.” And in his wake numerous children’s stories were written to honor him and warm the cockles of a reader’s heart. I’ll close by recounting one which gave rise to a cherished tradition.
It was Christmastime in a factory town in northern England and townspeople were milling about, shopping, their arms filled with gifts. Among them were two ragamuffins, brother and sister, Robbie and Lizabeth. They were homeless and struggling to survive after being abandoned by parents who couldn’t afford to keep them. These were the times that tried men’s, women’s and children’s souls. The siblings were but two of thousands of “street urchins,” victims of both a depressed economy and a government with no inclination to help them meet their basic needs.
The children had hoped that the annual Christmas Eve gathering in the village square might bring them a half-penny or donation of food. All they received were taunts. Blizzard conditions had swept down from the north, forcing them to seek refuge at a nearby church. But the wind drowned out their knockings. They curled up on the top step, hugging each other for warmth.
On Christmas morn, the church janitor discovered their bodies covered with snow. His cries of anguish brought a crowd of onlookers. Upon closer examination, it was found that each child clutched in their right hands a piece of paper. Each year on Christmas Eve, children wrote their favorite color on a slip of paper and took it to bed with themselves. St. Nicholas (England’s Santa) then came and gave each child a gift in that color. Robbie held a red piece while Lizzie’s was green. Suddenly, the children began to move. The villagers shouted for joy. It was a Christmas miracle. On the day celebrating Jesus’ birth, it seemed like the children who should have frozen to death were reborn. Later, a young, childless couple offered to take the kids. Robbie and Lizzie would never be cold or hungry again.
Just as Scrooge had an epiphany with a profound effect, so did the villagers. The near tragedy helped them realize that despite the difficult times, they could still raise the money necessary to build and maintain a home for abandoned children. They were also reminded that Christmas was a time for giving, especially to the Robbies and Lizabeths of the world. To remind them of that responsibility, each year people decorated their homes, church, and square in a special way. Other villages followed suit and before you can say Jake and Jack Frost, red and green had become the traditional colors of Christmas.
So, in the words of Tiny Tim, “God bless us, everyone.” And on behalf of the late Mr. Dickens and myself, Merry Christmas.
Ray Lenarcic is a 1965 State University of New York at Fredonia graduate and is a resident of Herkimer.