A few weeks ago, Ardis in Illinois messaged me to ask if Sue Silverstein would like some beautiful Christmas blankets she wanted to buy.

She wrote that it was a mild winter so far in her area, “so I have chosen to use my heating oil cost savings to purchase something to help keep other people warm. A box of Sharpa-backed throws is set to arrive at Bishop Gibbons mid-December.

Ardis represents and understands Christmas’s true spirit – it’s about giving, not getting. Sue asked her students if any of them were cold at night (we are in a severe cold wave),, and everyone who raised their hands got a beautiful warm red blanket.

I passed the message along to Sue, who responded quickly.

“We are so grateful. It’s getting cold,” Sue wrote.

This gift is very much appreciated and timely as well.

I am continuously touched and even overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of strangers I don’t know – people like Addis –  and will most likely never meet. There are lots of good people out there eager and willing to go good.

People like Addis reaffirm my faith in humanity.

Thanks, Ardis, I know firsthand that some of these families are forced to sleep together in one room to stay warm because they can’t afford heating oil bills.

This will help them to be warm through what is shaping up to be a harsh and expensive winter winter. I can’t wait to see the throws.