According to a story from WMTW, a 10 year old boy, Sam Rideout, a/k/a Sam The Bottle Man, collects bottles and cans, redeems them for cash, then buys Christmas presents for kids at the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital in Portland.

The report goes on to say that he donated those gifts, all $6,000 worth, on Monday, and was surprised with a police escort thanks to the South Portland Police Department.

Sam is doing a wonderful thing that, I'm sure, is inspiring kids everywhere to think about the TRUE meaning of Christmas.  It's not GETTING the gifts, it's giving them.

As a person who has been very lucky to have received fantastic gifts at Christmas, I can say that the BEST part of the holidays is to GIVE.

I don't want to sound like a Hallmark movie here, but my Mom and Dad never really had a lot to give, but love.  That was more than enough.  I remember getting a bunch of 2nd hand barbie dolls when I was about 7 years old and I loved them.  I didn't know and didn't care that they were second hand.  I just tried to figure out how Barbie peed without the...... ya know......  ("where's the hole?")   I know... TMI.

The Holidays can be stressful, but it's my favorite holiday because it's all about FAMILY.  I couldn't care less about the gifts.  Sam, at 10 years old, is teaching others how to be a giving, caring soul and THAT's the true meaning of Christmas to me.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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