This year I was chosen to take part in the Disney Champion for Kids challenge. I was delighted by this news. Champion for Kids works to mobilize MILLIONS of people by providing training and resources to improve the lives of children in communities across America and beyond. Disney is a Champion for Kid sponsor. It is not unknown that at the heart of Disney they stand for bringing joy and happiness into children’s lives. What an amazing opportunity for me, as a mom, to be able to get my kids involved in something so special. Without a doubt I knew exactly what we were going to do and with our challenge and who were going to do it with.
One of my favorite kind of charities are one’s that are local. I think it keeps those that care, caring for those around them. Matt’s Stocking is one of my favorite charities and I have loved the charity since 1997 when my mother came home from getting her hair done and told me about it. The verse, “Verily i say unto you, In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me.” that comes from Matthew 25:40 is this charities headline. This verse, to me, means so many things. Mainly it means that we are called to do acts of mercy EVERY DAY. These acts should not depend on our social status, our financial status, or intelligence. We are all responsible individually to care for our personal involvement and our own actions in helping others…ALWAYS. Champions for Kids calls us to do this as a member of our society, religious or not and Matt’s Stockings is a reminder seasonally that this is our duty as Christians. Actions that we are CALLED to do.
Matt’s Stocking is more than a charity. It is a ministry. It is also a story. A way of reaching those less fortunate through a loss that was very sad.
Although I did not know Matt well, I did meet him (one time) and I attended his funeral that was packed by community members that loved him very much. I saw his mother that day and hugged his cousin. I listened as a bell choir played his favorite song at the funeral. I, to this day, adore his family and this ministry. Matt’s Stocking, has touched many. When I received this opportunity from Disney I knew this was the charity that I was going to choose for my giving. Maybe you will understand why.
Their facebook page says this…..
The ministry of Matt’s Stocking was born in the broken heart of his mother as she faced her first Christmas without her son (who has passed away that year.) What was she to do with his stocking? To pack it away in a box would make it seem as though he never existed; the thought of hanging it up empty was unbearable.
The answer soon came: “Fill Matt’s Stocking for someone who needed a special blessing.” That was in 1997, and the stocking was filled for a young man. Telling him the story of Matt and the God he served gave peace and joy to his mother’s heart. The following year, God touched an entire family and over the years hundreds of children have been reached through “Matt’s Stocking”.
I was happy to be part of it this year like any year before. The thing the differentiates this charity is that this also is a ministry. Each gift is an act of love. It is not about the actual gifts that can be given through “Matt’s Stocking” but the story that can be told about the infinite love that EVERYONE is capable of having through each other, by each other, and by the Lord. Matt’s Stocking is about serving where service is needed. All recipients remain anonymous and Prayers are aplenty.
This year over 104 families was blessed with an average of 3 kids per family. That is a lot of kiddos. A lot of Christmas spirit. The story of Matt and his purpose lives on each year as this charity blesses children every year.
- This years efforts are over but next year YOU CAN HELP!!!
NEXT YEAR: Be on the lookout for Matt’s Stocking location around Thanksgiving. Seashore Community Church of the Nazarene and other locations all around Cape May County help in the effort. If you own a business, you can make a tax-deductible gift, ear-marked “Matt’s Stocking”. All checks should be written out to Matt’s Stocking.
Most of all the family asks you to pray as well. Pray for the families that receive and those that are giving.
I was happy to be part of Disney’s One of Millions that helped to make the holiday a better time for children everywhere, especially Cape May County. I will be sharing more about what it meant for my boys to prepare to give for those that are in need and how it felt for my own 4 year old son, (ironically named Matt as well) to learn this lesson of Matthew 25:40 this year, learn about the spirit of giving, and the duty of service to our community. I am so thankful that Disney made this possible.
“The Disney items that were delivered have been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. This is a true story. This is OUR story.” #CBias, #DisneyCFK
Elizabeth Norton, is a former party planner by trade now turned birth mom, wife, foster mom and so much more. Hailing from the "true" South Jersey where if you were any more south you would have the wind at your back, the sand beneath your toes, and the most beautiful view of rolling ocean waves you have ever seen. Owner of a birthday party and wedding ideas website she also writes for her own personal journey of returning to health, celebrating the special moments of life, recycling and using the most out of everything and enjoying what she has been given as it is without fear and full of adventure.
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That sounds like a wonderful cause. I can’t imagine what the first holiday season must be like without a child, but look at the amazing work she has done with this charity. Thanks, Elizabeth!
What a wonderful cause. Making such a difference.
Oh man, that is so sad. I can’t even imagine the pain of losing a child. What an amazing woman to be so strong and generous in the face of sadness.