Michelle – Disk Jockey for Toys for Tots

I would like to share a short story about my friend Michelle that inspired me to start volunteering for an organization called “Toys for Tots” in Virginia. At the time, Michelle was a radio disc jockey for one of the local radio stations in town and she would often broadcast live from different businesses and community events helping to promote business and encourage listeners to stop in during her broadcast.

“Toys for Tots,” is a locally developed organization that provides donated toys, books, sports equipment and clothing to underprivileged children in the area that would otherwise not see any presents under the tree on Christmas day. Completely unrelated to the following story but still a worthy plug, is that the unique thing about Toys for Tots in our community is they don’t just collect toys for smaller children. They also collect gifts for teens, as well. I feel this is important to mention because this age group is often forgotten about during the holidays.

At any rate, Michelle’s radio station, along with every other competing radio and television station in the area, take one day to unite and all broadcast from the same location trying to encourage the donation of as many toys as possible. The radio DJ’s and television personalities take turns broadcasting high above the local mall parking lot from cherry picker buckets next to a dressed up Santa Clause to help attract attention. (If you are not familiar with what a cherry picker bucket is, it is the bucket that is attached to the end of a fire truck or electrical vehicle that extends high up in the air.) I remember Michelle always hating to have to work this particular event for several reasons. (A) She wasn’t paid anything additional for doing the event. (B) It was held outside in December and the weather was generally miserable, (C) she was terrified of heights and resisted getting inside the cherry picker buckets and (D) it took her personal time away from her. It goes without saying that the importance of what she was doing at this event had never really resonated with her.

She knew that they were there to collect toys, and she knew that the toys were going to be delivered to underprivileged children. She knew all of the basics. But, the importance of what her role was in the matter had never sunk in for her. She explained to me that on the surface she knew the event was for a good cause, but that up until this particular event, it had always felt like another day of work for her- just out in the frigid cold. And then it happened, the moment that everything shifted. She was climbing out of one of the cherry picker buckets with wobbly knees and shaky legs when an 8 year old little girl rushed up to her. The little girl’s mother identified herself with a smile and wave from the direction of a hot chocolate vending booth.

“Thank you, thank you!” gushed the little girl.
Michelle smiled down at her, and said “No, thank you for listening to me and to our station. Would you like a free T-Shirt or CD?”
“Oh, no thank you. I don’t listen to you or your station,” the girl blushed.
“Well, then why are you thanking me, silly?” Michelle smiled back.
“Because you and the others are telling everyone driving around in their cars and listening at work all about me and my family,” the little girl said. “I mean, you’re not telling them our story- but my family needs a good Christmas this year. My Daddy was laid of off work and then our house burned down and now I don’t see my Momma much anymore.”

The little girl then gave Michelle a five dollar bill and told her that it was all that they could afford to give this year, but that she hoped they could donate more next year. She then explained that she and her little brother and been living out of a motel room with their parents and grandmother for the past three months and that her mother was having to work several jobs to keep the family afloat. She was sad because she never got to see her mother much anymore. The little girl told Michelle that she didn’t really care about Christmas because Santa wasn’t real for her anymore, but that Santa was still very real for her little brother. She said, “I just want to make sure that my little brother, Seth, knows that Santa won’t forget him just because we are living at the Holiday Inn. He is too young to know the truth about Santa.”

Michelle became so absorbed in the little girl’s story that she was unaware that a small group of children had walked up and formed a circle around the two of them. It wasn’t uncommon to see children at these types of events because parents would often bring them along for an opportunity to demonstrate the concept of sharing and giving. Hearing this little girl tell her story was the homerun that finally hit the ball out of the park and into Michelle’s heart. She finally understood the reality and greatness of the event. But, it was what she witnessed next that was remarkable.

The children that had gathered around them all started to empty their pockets pulling out candy, dollar bills and loose change. They each sat their pocket findings on the ground in front of the little girl and told her that they hoped that what they had given her would help. Michelle was so inspired by these children’s acts of kindness that during her next on-air break, she shared the story of what had just taken place. The little girl’s name was Marissa and she explained that Marissa and her mother were still there and that it was a perfect opportunity for folks to come by and give directly. Within minutes of the broadcast, people arrived donating twenty, fifty and one hundred dollar bills directly into the hands of Marissa’s mother.

A silver mini-van pulled up alongside the radio station tent where the group was gathered and a little boy of about ten years old jumped out of the van lugging along a black trash bag. He walked up to Marissa, gave her a hug and pulled out four wrapped presents from the bag and told her that those where for her little brother. He then pulled out four more wrapped boxes and told her that those were for her. Marissa told the little boy that she didn’t need any presents and thanked him. She whispered to him that she knew the truth about Santa Clause and didn’t need anything for herself. The little boy then told Marissa that Santa Clause was real and would always be real if only she believed in him. He wished her a Merry Christmas and then hopped back into the van leaving the presents at her feet. Bearing witness to all of this, Michelle ran to the van to find out if she could interview the little boy and his mother on the air. The little boy told her that he didn’t want to be on the radio, but that after hearing Marissa’s story on the radio, he and his sister decided to randomly give up some of their presents under their tree. His sister couldn’t be there because she had soccer practice. Michelle asked the little boy’s name and he told her that it was Nick.

Michelle told the story of Marissa and St. Nick over and over that day and every year after until she left the station for a job in a larger market. The display of compassion and selflessness from the children that she encountered that day touched her in ways that she could never imagine. Apparently, it also touched many other people because they ended up raising more money and toy donations that year than in the two previous years combined. Michelle is still actively involved with toying giving charities and was the inspiration for me to become a volunteer. Sometimes, we all need to hear a real life story to become a part of one. Get inspired and volunteer!

Words that summarize volunteering experiences:

1. Perspective
2. Energy
3. Fulfillment

Key messages:

• Nothing is more contagious than simple everyday acts of generosity
• Sometimes, we all need to hear a real life story to become a part of one

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