First Christmas Jar story of 2010!!

Our book Club met you at B & N and as a result all have read the Christmas Jar and today we are going to give it to a family that has an autistic child at a private school. They can’t afford the tuition and are working at the school to offset the price. We all enjoyed the book and especially your insite. We were all wondering how many Christmas Jars you have out there now ??? Thanks again for spurring us on…to the true meaning of Christmas.

Read more about Pepsi Refresh Project with Christmas Jars

http://www.refresheverything.com/christmasjars

Pepsi Refresh project for Christmas Jars.

I'm up for a $5,000 grant to help fund Christmas Jars. Please vote every day in September at the website above! Thanks!

Christmas in July

Every now and then I stop and ask myself what it is I'm doing with these Christmas Jars. What am I truly trying to accomplish and is it worth all the time and effort I put in to sharing the story of The Christmas Jar? "Sharing" can include talking to customers at the store, mailing out a jar, a copy of Christmas Jars, or jar wrapper, answering emails that come in from all over the country, addressing philanthropic groups, visiting schools, talking to people on the phone who want to start "a Christmas Jar Campaign", and talking to the media. Some days it takes up a considerable amount of time and other days none at all.

There are days I wonder how many people I'm reaching? Are people really as excited about the Christmas Jar as I am or am I just being a pain to those around me? Does this little tradition of taking spare change and turning it into a miracle for someone else really matter?

I think it does!

Here's proof:

Today I was at the drugstore filling some prescriptions when I heard, "Hey, Laurie". I turned around and saw the pharmacist waving at me. I walked down the aisle and stood at the counter figuring there was a problem with one of the medicines. She said, "Tell me about these Christmas Jars". Now I have purchased my prescriptions at this drugstore for a lot years and I have talked about Christmas Jars to a lot of people but I have never spoken to the pharmacist about Christmas Jars! I giggled and proceeded to give my little spiel. As I did I could see out of the corner of my eyes other people moving closer pretending to shop but really trying to listen in on our conversation. Normally, I would think this behavior was rude but when I'm talking CJ's and I see people moving closer, I get excited and start speaking a little louder! I don't know how she heard about Christmas Jars and it doesn't really matter. She's filling her first Christmas Jar and it makes my heart sing!

This evening I went into Dairy Queen to get the wisdom toothless child some ice cream and I heard, "Laurie Paisley"! I turned and there was a friend of mine with her husband! I gave her a hug and she introduced me to her husband as Laurie Paisley and we exchanged "nice to meet yous". She then told him I was her "Christmas Jar lady!" His response was a little bow followed by, "Then I'm REALLY glad to meet you!" Again, I just giggled! The coolest part of this story is that I met this girl because her mother in Nebraska received a copy of the book, Christmas Jars. Her mother told her daughter she had to read it. She came into my store asking for a copy, we chatted and the rest, as they say, is history! I can't tell you how many people I have met along this journey who have remained close friends.

I think there is an amazing bond that occurs when people come together for a common goal. The Christmas Jar tradition is really about individuals across the world coming together as a group to do one thing......spread hope to others.

It's days like today that reinforce my passion for the Christmas Jar. Today was a true blessing. Today I experienced a little bit of Christmas in July!

Video from 2009 Christmas Jar Campaign!

http://smilebox.com/playEmail/4d5445784e544d784d5468384d6a45344d4451794d7a673d0d0a&sb=1

Check out this little video of images from last year's Christmas Jar Campaign. Turn up the volume and enjoy!

Following up on a Christmas Jar!!!

Wanted to share this with you...The family we gave our jar to was beyond appreciative---a grandmother who is raising her two granddaughters. Her daughter died of a drug overdose and the father is not allowed to raise the girls because he has sexually abused them. The grandmother has a very small house and no car. She makes money mopping the church floors and helping others clean their homes. This woman has worked hard her whole life and gives everything to these little girls. When the girls received their jar on Christmas Day their grandmother told them that angels had left the jar just for them (she actually caught us leaving it on her doorstep late Christmas Eve). All three of them decided to save the jar for summer so they had money to have a little fun (the town is small, there is not much to do, and there's no car to take them places). So, they ended up buying a small swimming pool with the jar money. The grandmother told my mom that it's been the best summer the girls have had in their lives. She can't get them out of the pool to get them ready for bed. Makes my heart sing.

How Full is Your Christmas Jar?