The past month, my RSS reader has been full of holiday wish lists and discussions of gifts received. Tory Burch, David Yurman, Louis Vuitton, iPads, and new cars have been tossed around with the same ease as one discussed purchasing some apples at the grocery store. In light of the "gimmie gimme gimme" mentality, shortly followed by the "let me show off how much money my [husband/boyfriend/parents/etc] spent on me" plague, it was so incredibly refreshing and touching to find a post by a dear blog friend concerned not about what she would receive, but rather about ensuring that others in need would receive instead.
Tomorrow is the birthday of Mint Juleps and Magnolias. And do you know what she has asked for in honor of her birthday? That anyone who can, donate an unused winter coat from the back of the closet to charity.
In her own words:
Last year, I asked any friends who might have planned to send me a birthday card, text, email or Facebook message to, instead, take a few minutes to clean out their coat closet and donate their unused coats to a shelter or charity of their choice, then send me a photo of their donation.
This year, I'd like to extend the same challenge to my blog friends. Please take a few moments. Pick up that ugly coat your mom got you for Christmas, or the one that you just can't quite squeeze into, or the one your kid outgrew two years ago. Tighten up the buttons. Clean out the pockets. And give it to someone who needs it far more than you. Donate to your local homeless shelter. Make arrangements through your church or your child's school. It'll find a home.
That part about the coat that you can't quite squeeze into? I don't know about you, but that sure resonates with me. I packed up a coat or two in that category and put them into storage in my MIL's house when I moved this summer. I'll be heading up to visit Husband this weekend, and I'll dig through his mother's house to find those coats and donate them in honor of Mint Julep and Magnolias' birthday. After all, maybe someday I'll fit into those coats again, but there's someone out there who could use them right now, and they sure aren't keeping anyone warm hanging in a closet. Won't you consider doing the same to help bring some warmth to someone in need this winter?
