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Operation Santa Claus - Bringing Holiday Cheer To Those In Need

By
Home Stager with Sharon Tara Transformations

November, being the month of thanks and giving, is the perfect time to reflect on what blessings we have in our lives and how we can pay it forward and enrich the lives of others.

No matter what your burdens or hardships are in life, and we all have them, we all have something to give back. Whether you donate money or donate your time nothing will make your life richer than helping others.

 

I am currently serving as the Secretary for the NH Chapter of RESA (Real Estate Staging Association) and our chapter is proud to be sponsoring a family this Christmas through the Operation Santa Claus program.

For more than fifty years, members of the State Employees Association here in New Hampshire have helped bring holiday cheer to those in need through the Operation Santa Claus program.

 

 

It's pretty simple...you agree to sponsor a family, buy Christmas gifts for the children, wrap the gifts and deliver them to the drop off location.

Volunteers at Operation Santa Claus then deliver the gifts to the family in time for Christmas.

Our chapter is small, with only 11 members.

We recently received our "wish list" for the three siblings we will be shopping for, ages 10, 6 and 5.

 

Shopping has begun and it looks like we will be able to give them everything on their list! 

 

 

You don't have to spend much time reading my blog to figure out how important my family is to me.

Celebrating the holidays with our families is one of life's greatest joys.

My children and grandchildren have been blessed with so much.

It breaks my heart to think of all the children who get very little, if anything at all, for Christmas. 

 

 

I worry about the finances just like everyone else does, but I know how blessed I am to have all that I have. 

I'm grateful for the financial security that allows me to give so much to my family.

I'm so happy to be in a position to be able to help this wonderful program and be a part of making this Christmas a special one for three deserving little kids.

 

If you are interested in sponsoring a child or donating money or volunteering in any way please contact:

 Operation Santa Claus 

Phone:  603-271-6530

 

Operation Santa Claus was founded by the State Employees Association in 1960, and in that first year, 14 children received gifts delivered by State Troopers.

In the time since, Operation Santa Claus has expanded to help as many as 3,000 children across the Granite State yearly. 

Comments(23)

Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

Good morning Sharon Tara, you make a difference by giving to those who don't have much. Children don't understand why they don't have as much as other kids. Hope this post will reach many. 

Nov 13, 2017 07:15 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good morning Sharon - I know that you will recieved such joy from helping another family.  You are sharing your own blessings and your grandchildren will learn from you and your children.

Nov 13, 2017 07:27 AM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

That is just awesome.  I bet you will have so much fun shopping for these three kiddos and you will make a huge difference in their lives.  Young people need to witness acts of kindness to show them its not all bad in our world these days.

Nov 13, 2017 08:09 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Beth Atalay  You are right, they don't understand. Far too young to have be dealing with financial issues....they should just be happy!

Grant Schneider When the grands get a little older they can help me buy gifts for other children. Teach them young!

Belinda Spillman I'm so glad we are doing it. I've already started my shopping and look forward to picking up the toys for the little girl.

 

Nov 13, 2017 08:16 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

It's always a good thing during this time of counting our blessings, to consider the needs of the less fortunate.

Nov 13, 2017 09:08 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Sharon - Very nice! Mary and I help a family at Chrostmas as well - it does make a huge difference during an imprtant time for them.

Nov 13, 2017 12:06 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Sharon- you are blessed indeed and I love how much you care for other children. It breaks my heart to think of any child that has to go without. 

Nov 13, 2017 05:35 PM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Sharon

Operation Santa Claus is an outstanding community program.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Nov 13, 2017 07:19 PM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Sharon, We do something like this in the Rotary. It really does make you thankful for what you have and showing it by helping others.  Great post.

Nov 13, 2017 08:25 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Myrl Jeffcoat  These three kids are going to have a very nice spread of gifts for Christmas this year!

Dick Greenberg  I wish we could see their faces when they get their gifts. I hope they are happy with what we chose.

Kathy Streib  It's difficult to see a child go without any time of year, at least I know we are making their lives happier for Christmas.

Lou Ludwig  This is my first year participating but I will make it a new tradition.

Rebecca Gaujot  Toys For Tots is another place I like to donate for children.

 

Nov 14, 2017 10:14 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

How wonderful Sharon Tara. I love the idea and love the sound of this program 

Nov 14, 2017 12:44 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Scott Godzyk  The members of our small group have been very generous. I believe we will be giving them every item on their list!

Nov 14, 2017 12:47 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I love that others will make sure that Christmas is enjoyed for a family that can't afford to buy presents and such for their kids.  My Mom does this every year with one of her sisters and I think last year they were too late to be given a family, so they chose their niece that was struggling with two young boys and a husband that was not often in the picture.

Nov 16, 2017 07:31 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Brian England It's my first year doing this and I'm so excited about it. I'm looking forward to our wrapping party at my house in a couple of weeks.

Nov 16, 2017 12:19 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Sharon -- this post simply overflows with awesomeness.    

Nov 16, 2017 12:31 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Thank you! I think AR overflows right now with awesomeness....all the "thankful" posts are so inspiring.

Nov 17, 2017 08:41 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Tara, shopping for children is probably one of the most rewarding things one can do! Good for you, there will be many happy faces this Christmas because of you!

Nov 22, 2017 04:00 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES  Thank you! I'm looking forward to our "wrapping" day on Tuesday at my house. So excited to deliver the gifts. I only wish we could see them receive them.

Nov 24, 2017 10:45 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

That is a blessing and a blessing that you choose to share and make others feel te blessing.

Dec 02, 2017 09:45 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Debbie Reynolds It felt so good to do it. So glad I was with a group so we could actually buy ALL on the lists!

Dec 04, 2017 07:02 AM