“I’m fortunate to have enough, and when you have enough, you have enough to share,” said Lois Watt as she visited MSC last month. Lois is concerned with the widening gap she sees between the “have” and “have-nots” and has decided that she will be someone who can make a difference. Lois knows she can’t help everyone, but she can make a huge difference by just helping one person.
That help can seem small or insignificant to many, but can be so great for the one who receives it. Lois tears up as she talks about one family she was able to help personally during the holidays – a mother and her two teen daughters. Lois wanted to provide the girls with something fun, so she asked what would that be? Justin Beiber blankets and Uggs were the answer, of course!
Lois then asked the mother what she would want if she could have anything. It took her forever to answer because all she kept saying is she wanted her girls to have a nice Christmas. However, the real shock came when Lois and her husband made the delivery. They had included a number of household cleaning items, toilet paper, and tissues. The mother was overwhelmed at these items. “When someone gets excited over toilet paper and cleaning supplies, you know you are doing good things and making a difference” said Lois.
Lois and her family have committed to making a difference for families during the holidays. Each year, they find a way to make a personal impact for someone less fortunate than their family and share these stories with each other. Reflecting on her family holiday tradition, “We have enough stuff, our gift to each other during the holidays is the stories we share about our giving,” Lois shared.
Lois was visiting MSC to see her support in action at the Federal Way Food Bank. An employee of King County, Lois is able to donate her unused vacation time to a non-profit of her choice. This unused vacation time adds up! Lois’s vacation time will help MSC provide fresh produce for 40 families or protein for 30 families. MSC thanks Lois for choosing MSC’s Food Bank to be the recipient of this meaningful gift year after year.
