Monday, November 16, 2009

Freecycle Girl

Here is the post on Freecycle that I couldn't ignore:
We have just relocated here and are horribly broke. I have two kids. My son is nine and daughter is sixteen months. I don't have anything for the Christmas season.

I'm in DESPERATE need of an artificial tree and decorations. Anything will help.


As I had previously posted, I dug around in my Christmas stuff and came up with 4 full containers and 5 rolls of wrapping paper, to give to this girl.

I commented on her post:
This is my first time actually answering a post, not sure how this works.

So, your post has made me go through all my Christmas boxes and I have come up with at least 4 boxes of stuff...balls, one large strand of lights, garland, 5 rolls wrapping paper, cards, bows, wreath and hanger, gift boxes and Christmas nicknack's, stuffed animals for the kids, ect..ect..

My truck isn't working very good and I live way on the SW side. I could meet you halfway. Let me know.

She replies back with a phone number.

Freecycle girl has now turned into Stephanie.

They are from Washington (the state) and had decided to move here, in search for JOBS. (I know the economy is bad, but to leave your area in search of jobs. My heart was bleeding) Thankfully she has a brother here, so they do have a place to stay. Stephanie's hubby found a job in his line of work, but is having to start out on the bottom of the totem pole. It's a job, at least there's that. She is grateful and now that I am acquainted with, them so am I.

Her brother has nothing in the way of Christmas. He is a bachelor and had never felt the need to do or buy anything. (Very sad)

I asked her if there was a specific color she was hoping for?
Blue and white and silver, she replies.
Perfect, I have a bunch of that.
She was getting excited. (It was like..I could see her mind working with what she could do with all her new stuff.)
This was soo much fun!

We agree to meet at a gas station on Saturday, 4 days later.

Now, my experience with Craigslist is:

1) They will find a better offer and not call and let you know.
2) They will change their minds and again not call.
3) They will just not show up for said meeting.

I was very apprehensive about how this was going to play out.

Thankfully with Freecycle, they really do want the items they post for.

Saturday finally gets here and I realize we didn't exchange our looks or type of vehicles. How are we going to recognize each other?

I call her back. (I secretly wanted to confirm they were actually coming) She had thought of the same thing and yes they are coming. Relief Washington plates..dah, sometimes I wonder about my head

Hubby as I said, was moving really slow due to the show he was watching. We are about halfway there and I look at the clock.

I grumble "were going to be late".
Hubby..You said 4 o'clock, didn't you?
I..Yes, but I didn't mean for us to get there right at 4 or after (I hate to be late and he knows it).

We pull into the gas station and hubby starts getting gas and there they are. They had just gotten there, they had gotten lost. I let hubby off the hook cause it all worked out.

I had all the stuff in clear plastic containers.
She exclaims..The containers too!
My hubby..No point in taking them out, now is there?
We all got a pretty good laugh out of that.

She could see the blue and silver garland in the container. Her eyes were lit up like a Christmas tree! Oh, I am so excited! I'm going to start decorating as soon as I get home!

The meeting was brief, but will last me a lifetime!

I got this from her yesterday:
I just want to thank you again...you've helped sooo much.


I love to give, more than receive!

12 comments:

Tinkerschnitzel said... [Reply to comment]

How wonderful for you to help someone like that! I have a Christmas tree she could have if she can get to Texas. It needs a little work on the branches - it's a fold up tree that my cat decided to sit in - but it's still in good shape. Oooh...I think I know someone who could use it. Thanks for the great idea!

Heather said... [Reply to comment]

Tinkerschnitzel...we are in Texas! San Antonio!
Thanks and glad you thought of someone.

Spot said... [Reply to comment]

This is the kind of story that restores my faith in humanity. I wish I saw more posts like this one and less hate and mudslinging. Thank you Heather, for reminding us all what not just this season, but every day should be about.

♥Spot

mindy@thesuburbanlife said... [Reply to comment]

Heather -
What a lovely post...and your enthusiasm absolutely poured through your words. You definitely shared the Christmas spirit with Stephanie as well as all of us. Thank you!
Mindy
www.thesuburbanlife.com

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

Don't you love it when the junk in your basement makes someone else deliriously happy? :)

Heather said... [Reply to comment]

Spot...Thanks, I wish everyday could be as sweet as that one.

Mindy...Thanks, that's very sweet of you.

Class-factorum...Welcome! Yes I do, great pleasure in seeing smiling faces.

Stephanie Faris said... [Reply to comment]

That is SUCH a good feeling! I'm going to have to look up this Freecycle site. I too have had that same experience with Craigslist...although I would hope in a situation where someone was asking for help, they'd at least show up for the meeting or call you if they found a better offer?

Heather said... [Reply to comment]

Stephanie...So far my experience with freecycle has been great. If you like craigslist, then you'll definately like Freecycle.

Angelia Sims said... [Reply to comment]

Heather, You are an ANGEL! Someone did something similar for me one year. Believe me, she is wrapped in the spirit of your gift and it will be heartfelt for a long, long time.

Awesome!

Heather said... [Reply to comment]

Angelia...Thanks for such a lovely thought.

kathryn said... [Reply to comment]

Oh, I'm so happy it all came together! I wud've been so disappointed if she'd been a no-show. I know what you mean about being apprehensive about that. But, it all worked out and you did this GREAT thing! I can just picture it...you've made a huge difference in someone's life! Probably forever!!
So proud of you!!

Heather said... [Reply to comment]

Kathryn...Thanks. I am so grateful that it worked out so well.