Ultimate Fate of a Christmas Jar

In the end, I gave mine to a car. I had changed the coins into cash and put the money in a Christmas card, along with an anonymous note explaining the whole Christmas Jar thing. The plan was to put it under the windshield wiper of a car belonging to a likely-looking recipient.

Since I had to go to Trader Joe's anyway, and since I occasionally see some faded old ladies in 1970's polyester shopping there, that's where I went first. I thought that kind of polyester--the bulletproof kind, not the slinky microfiber blend kind--would be a reliable tip-off as to need. Unfortunately those ladies weren't there. The problem kept getting more difficult, because with every candidate, I ended up second-guessing myself about why I thought that person might be needy. One can't assume, for instance, that a middle-aged, overweight, dowdy, depressed-looking woman is poor. Half of the Quilters' Guild of Indianapolis looks like that, and quilting, despite its humble origins, is no longer a poor woman's sport. The more I thought about it, the harder it got. I was really getting up-close and personal with a lot of my class prejudices. Finally I drove to the Wal-Mart and Dollar Store on Keystone, and found the perfect recipient. It was an ancient, rusty, beat-up car, with one door that didn't match the rest. There were little-kid toys in the front seat, but no car seat. It was in the remote reaches of the parking lot, so I imagine that Mom probably works for one of those horribly depressing stores. And I didn't have to focus on what I thought about the person at all.

Operation 1,001 Continued

Now that the Christmas (Jars) season is over I can finally sit down and get back to the story of 1,001 jars.

May 2009

Somewhere around May 15, 2009 I read an early copy of Christmas Jars Reunion (CJR) by Jason F. Wright. Christmas Jars Reunion is the follow up to the NY Times bestselling book, Christmas Jars also by JFW.

CJR picks up two years after Christmas Jars ends. Hope, the main character, has decided to gather 1,001 full Christmas jars and donate them on Christmas eve. As the story unfolds, Hope has lost sight of the true meaning of the Christmas jar tradition. She eventually realizes that it's not about 1,001 jars, it's about one jar. The one jar she will fill, the one jar she will give away and the one family whose lives will be forever changed because of her jar.

After I finished reading my copy of CJR, I experienced the most incredible feeling. I remember pacing back and forth in the kitchen trying to dimiss "the feeling". It was very similar to a loud internal voice telling me that I needed to do something.....find 1,001 people to fill individual jars and donate them to people around the country. I thought it was ridiculous!

For three days I pushed this voice or feeling aside as best I could. It woke me up at night, it kept me up at night, it interrupted my day and basically consumed me. I went for long walks to try and clear the idea from my head but to no avail. I finally gave in and told my mother what I had experienced and she immediately said, "Laurie, you need to listen and pay attention to what it's telling you to do and do it". I thought she was ridiculous! I don't know 1,001 people and I had absolutely no idea how I was going to do this. It was May and not only did I have to find 1,001 people but I only had 7 months to do it!

I had a talk with my self and we decided to try it. I sat down at the computer and forwarded an email to my family and asked for their help and support. Their reaction (after laughing out loud at me) was the same as mine....How? My sister's response was, "Laurie, you always get me into the craziest things but okay, I'll help". I don't think any of us knew at that time what kind of a commitment (time and financial) we had just signed up for!

To be continued...

Homeless Man Receives Jar in Rochester NY

I have seen this homeless man over a hundred of times sitting in Greece town mall in Rochester NY. He never bothers anybody, he just sits on a bench inside the mall either near Sears or Bon Ton. He is there anytime of the day and everyday. Luckily no one has ever thrown him out because he is not trouble. Over the last year I have asked about him and all anybody knows is that his name is Dale.

When Laurie told me about the Christmas jar I knew immediately it would Dale that would receive my jar. There was something about Dale that told me he was very special. I still do not know what it is, but there is something and one day I will find out.

Anyway.... today I set out to the mall to find him, he was not in his usual place. I was afraid with the craziness of the mall a day before Christmas, Dale might have not come. I asked a custodian if he knew Dale and he did after I described him. I found him by Sears on a bench sleeping sitting straight up. Crowds of people hustling to buy last minute gifts were bustling by him not even noticing him. I patiently waited 10 minutes until he woke up and then I proceeded to walk up to him in a mist of people and I tapped him on his shoulder from the back (so he would not see my face) him. He looked up, I whispered in his ear Merry Christmas Dale, you are a special person.I then disappeared into the crowd of crazy shoppers.

As I was walking through the mall to my car, I was watching hundreds of crazed shoppers doing last minute shopping and purchasing gifts for no other reason except that they were "suppose to" and realizing that if every person in the mall at that one time gave a Christmas Jar to some one in need, maybe...just maybe this time of year would not be stressful it would be joyous.

I can't wait to next year, my new jar is already started.

Homeless Man Receives Jar in Rochester NY

I have seen this homeless man over a hundred of times sitting in Greece town mall in Rochester NY. He never bothers anybody, he just sits on a bench inside the mall either near Sears or Bon Ton. He is there anytime of the day and everyday. Luckily no one has ever thrown him out because he is not trouble. Over the last year I have asked about him and all anybody knows is that his name is Dale.

When Laurie told me about the Christmas jar I knew immediately it would Dale that would receive my jar. There was something about Dale that told me he was very special. I still do not know what it is, but there is something and one day I will find out.

Anyway.... today I set out to the mall to find him, he was not in his usual place. I was afraid with the craziness of the mall a day before Christmas, Dale might have not come. I asked a custodian if he knew Dale and he did after I described him. I found him by Sears on a bench sleeping sitting straight up. Crowds of people hustling to buy last minute gifts were bustling by him not even noticing him. I patiently waited 10 minutes until he woke up and then I proceeded to walk up to him in a mist of people and I tapped him on his shoulder from the back (so he would not see my face) him. He looked up, I whispered in his ear Merry Christmas Dale, you are a special person.I then disappeared into the crowd of crazy shoppers.

As I was walking through the mall to my car, I was watching hundreds of crazed shoppers doing last minute shopping and purchasing gifts for no other reason except that they were "suppose to" and realizing that if every person in the mall at that one time gave a Christmas Jar to some one in need, maybe...just maybe this time of year would not be stressful it would be joyous.

I can't wait to next year, my new jar is already started.

Jar in Atlanta to Help a Car Accident Victim

I just wanted to tell you the potential impact your little book did for me and a group of guys from Wayne NJ.

I'm a member of a spiritual group of catholic men called " Cornerstone" similar to the "Knights of Columbus" however we are more into spiritual reflection
and performing anonymous charitable acts and gifts to those in need in our community.
After reading the book, I challenged my brothers to read it and do it - today and tomorrow at least 25 Christmas jars will be delivered to random people in need.
The fun part will be to share all the stories when we get together in January.

As for me - I prayed for guidance during the collection process from the Holy Spirit to guide me to the right people.
On Dec 11th my brothers (Tommy who lives in Atlanta) neighbor John (17) was in a critical car accident and has been in a coma since. John was a good boy and is very close to my brother and Earl ,always helping them around the house and feeding the dog etc.... John one year ago asked Tommy & Earl to be his sponsor for his confirmation into the catholic church. Tommy and Earl have been by his bedside ever since. John's Father(Jack) lost his job 6 months ago and John's mother (Sara) who has a college degree from Georgia is cleaning buildings at night to help make ends meet.

I sent the Jar (money) to them in the mail anonymously with the book.
I'm sure the $191 won't go very far, the the fact that someone cares, will.

Jar delivered in Cape Coral, Florida

A Christmas jar is being delivered today to a family of four in Cape Coral, FL. The Ft. Myers/Cape Coral area is second in the country behindLas Vegas in home foreclosures and, in the spirit of Christmas, the First Grinch National Bank auctioned off this family's home yesterday. The father lost his remodeling business this year. The mother is going to school to become a court reporter, and they are both working at whatever jobs they can find in the meantime. They have two young daughters, the oldest a high school senior who probably won't be able to go to college next year. Their aunt asked the girls one day what they had for dinner, and she was told "rice". "Good. What else?" "That was it. Just rice."

We decided a Christmas Jar was a good way to help them. We asked our children if they would object to us giving whatever we normally spend on presents for them and our grandchildren to this family in Florida. Our family is fortunate to be in good health, physically, spiritually and financially and can well afford to do without their WalMart gift cards this year. Everyone agreed that this was a good idea and was happy to help.

So we combined our jar with my wife's' sister's jar, and an elderly Santa-like person will be dropping the jar and the book off today. Unfortunately we can't save their home, but at least they will know that someone cares about them. And isn't "caring" what the spirit of Christmas and the spirit of the Christmas Jar is all about?

Merry Christmas to all.

Another Christmas Jar delivered!

(Name Withheld)

I took my neighbor boy (we will call him Joe) with me to deliver our Christmas Jar. I figured he had much younger and faster legs than I do and he could easily escape once he rang the doorbell! As we drove to the house I told him about the family we were donating our jar to! He was so excited he could hardly wait to get there!

We parked on a side street, turned off the headlights but kept the car running for an easy get away! We snuck through the neighboring yards and I carried the jar up to the door. I handed the jar to Joe but he refused to take it! He and I stood there arguing over who was going to place it on the front porch! I wanted him to do it but he was too nervous! I finally gave in and climbed the two front steps while he watched from below. I placed the jar by the front door and rang the doorbell. There was immediate chaos from within the house. Dogs barking, feet running. As I turned to run, I forgot there were multiple steps and fell off the front porch, wrenching my back. Thank goodness for a tree that was not far from the step because I went head first into the trunk! If it hadn't been there, I would have fallen face first on the ground and I would have been found out! As I struggled to regain my balance, I saw Joe up ahead and heard him screaming run! run! run! It was all I could do to stand up straight!

We jumped in the car and took off out of the neighborhood! Joe was giggling from the back seat and then I heard him say, "That was awesome, that was so much fun"!

A Christmas Jar delivered!

(Name Withheld)

I gave my first jar out today to one of my dialysis patients. She had been in a car accident in Sept and broke many bones in her body. She is doing her final rehab now. Upuntil then she had a full time job. I had my clinical mgr give it to her.The patient was very touched and started to read the book. It really makes one feel good giving the jar away. I do have more to give out and will really enjoy it. Happy Holidays.

Christmas Jars - 2007 and 2008

Back to the story of 1,001 Christmas Jars....

Christmas Season (2007 and 2008)

The Christmas Seasons of 2007 and 2008 went better than expected. Christmas Jars continued to sell, doubling and tripling in sales from the previous years. In 2008 the sales hit a milestone that I could never have imagined! Although I can't share that information, believe me, it was mind boggling.

By 2008 my coworkers rolled their eyes every time I asked a customer if they had read Christmas Jars. They were convinced that there was not a person left in the area who had not already heard of the book! I took their eye rolling, jokes, and jabs and continued on with sharing the message of the book!

The Christmas Jar tradition began to really catch on and become a movement of its own. I began seeing customers from the previous two years returning to buy more books for more friends and they began sharing with me their own Christmas Jar stories.

Some of the recipients of jars that year included a homeless man who spent his days sleeping in our store, a woman raising her best friends grandchildren because her friend had passed away and the mother of the children was in prison for abusing and neglecting the children, several people who were struggling with medical bills received a jar, a family who couldn't afford to put presents under the tree, a single mother who couldn't afford to pay the electric bill so she and her children had no heat and the list goes on and on.

People ask me if I get more out of giving away my own jar or hearing that someone else is giving away a jar. Without any hesitation hearing that someone else is giving away a jar means more. It's evidence that the Christmas Jar ministry is growing and spreading. In 2009 it grew exponentially and spread to all corners of this country and beyond as we (friends and family) found homes for jars in all 50 states and 11 countries.

Now the journey to 1,001 JARS really begins.....

A Christmas Jars Funny - 2009

A quick side note.

An elderly lady came into the store the other day and asked for the book Glass Jars!

Over a period of time all booksellers develop the unique ability to take a customer's request and figure out what book they're really looking for! Naturally, I knew she was looking for Christmas Jars. After putting the book in her hands and talking with her about Operation 1,001 she called her son over to meet me. I had no earthly idea why her son needed to meet me. Then she said, "Son, this is the lady who was on the Glenn Beck show the other day and this is the book she was talking about"!

Sorry JFW!! Don't worry....I set her straight (after I autographed a few copies).

Christmas Jars - 2006

Back to the story of 1,001 Christmas Jars....

Christmas Season (2006)

Jump ahead to the next Christmas season, 2006. I was so excited to have a full holiday season to share the message of the Christmas Jars book with family, friends, coworkers and customers. I set a lofty goal of selling 100 copies that season. It was a lofty goal because nobody had heard much about it and we weren't supposed to be carrying it. The only reason we were is because I had ordered it in. I was bound and determined to get this little jar tradition going in as many households as possible!

I started to experience an interesting phenomenon. Many customers who walked out of the store with a copy of Christmas Jars returned days later to buy 5, 10, 15 more copies, one for each of their friends and family members. It really was an incredible thing to see. In fact, I started to tell the customers they might as well buy their ten copies now and save themselves another trip later in the week!

One day, a lady came into the store on her way to Pennsylvania. She was visiting for a few days before she continued on her journey. She wanted book suggestions for all of her grandchildren. I helped her and then suggested she read Christmas Jars. She apologized and said she didn't read much. I told her a little bit about the story and asked her to try it. It took a lot of convincing but she agreed and thanked me. If I recall correctly, I think I told her I'd buy her copy from her if she didn't love it!

Two days later that same lady came in and found me up by the cash registers. She had a stack of Christmas Jars books that she was purchasing and a jar in her hands. She thanked me over and over for suggesting she read the book and as a thank you she handed me the most beautiful jar I had ever seen and asked me to use it for my jar this year. In addition, she began to cry as she pulled a photograph out of her pocket. The photograph had a picture of her and another woman, both in their mid 50's or so. She said to me, "See this woman? This is my sister who I only just found two weeks ago. We were separated when we were little and adopted by two different families". If you've read Christmas Jars, you know the topic of adoption and reuniting with birth parents is part of the story. This woman thanked me again and hugged me. Both of our eyes were wet with tears.

I was so taken back by how much my little book recommendation touched her. You just never know how a small act of kindness or in this case a book recommendation, can impact the life of another person. I have never seen this woman again but I know her life is forever changed because she read the book and mine has been changed for good because I met her and heard her story. To this day I think of her every time the Christmas season comes along and I start recommending Christmas Jars to customers. It's people like her that reinforce my passion for the Christmas Jar tradition and are the reason I continue to suggest Christmas Jars, by Jason F. Wright.

This was the year I decided to make the Christmas Jar my own little ministry!

To be continued.....

What is a Christmas Jar?

What is a Christmas Jar? 

A Christmas jar is any empty jar (mason, pickle, spaghetti sauce, mayonnaise) you place in plain sight and fill with spare change throughout the course of a year.  No checks, no bills, just copper and silver coins. Once the money is in the jar it cannot be removed! Sometime in the days leading up to Christmas or on Christmas Eve, you donate your jar to someone anonymously.  It could be a coworker, a stranger, a family member or friend. There is no right or wrong person and no right or wrong way to donate it as long as it’s done anonymously.

People often ask me if they can fill the jar and give it back to me to donate.  Yes....and no.  Yes you can but I prefer you don’t!  I’ve already experienced what it feels like to leave my jar on a doorstep and seen the look of disbelief and gratitude on the face and in the eyes of a stranger when I’ve handed them a full jar.  This is what everyone who fills a jar needs to experience. There’s nothing like it. I guarantee once you do it you’ll be hooked forever!  

Who should you donate your jar to?

It’s up to you.  It doesn’t have to be the poorest of the poor, although it can be.  It can be a neighbor who has been laid off from work, a friend who is having trouble paying their bills, a homeless man or woman, a family who isn’t sure how they are going to put presents under their tree this year. You judge the need and decide who the recipient will be. 

How much money should be in the jar?

The amount of money in the jar (on average $125) is irrelevant. The jar will not solve all of their problems and it’s not intended to. What it is intended to do is offer a little bit of hope.  

The Christmas Jar tradition is all about that one jar that you will fill, that one jar that you will donate, that one family whose lives will be changed because of your jar. Hopefully, they too will start to  fill a jar and donate it the following Christmas and the magic of the Christmas Jar will continue.

Now back to the story of 1,001 jars........

Christmas Jars - In the beginning

In the beginning - Christmas Season (2005).....

There was a man and a woman who met very briefly one evening during the holiday season at a Barnes and Noble.

The meeting centered around his request for a Christmas book titled, Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright. He had heard it reviewed on a public radio station and came into the store to purchase a copy. The store didn’t have the book in stock, nor were they due to get any in, so she ordered a copy for him and one for herself. Although their encounter was brief, it would change her life and hopefully the lives of thousands of others.

To be continued......