The gift that keeps on giving The gift that keeps on giving (December 17, 2004)

Families discover the true meaning of Christmas

by Sue Dremann

Christmas had almost become rote for Katy and David Bailey. The couple had everything they could ask for -- two beautiful daughters, a comfortable home and a large circle of friends. They wanted, and needed, little else.

So rather than madly shop for Christmas presents their friends and families really didn't need, last year the Baileys decided to spread their wealth.

The couple organized 20 families for a community shopping spree, purchasing enough from the Toys R' Us outlet in Redwood City to fill two full-sized fire trucks to the brim. The items were then donated to the Menlo Park Fire Department's Toys for Tots program.

"People had a ball," said Katy Bailey. "I was shocked at how many toys we gathered. People came from Menlo Park, Palo Alto and Los Altos."

The event proved to be so fulfilling for the Baileys and their friends, they embarked on another shopping spree at Toys R' Us on Dec. 12.

"It's great," said Francois Laugier, a corporate attorney from Palo Alto. "Instead of buying more presents, we're spending the amount of money we'd normally spend on our families on people who really need it.

"It makes for a festive holiday season."

Staff writer Sue Dremann can be e-mailed at sdremann@paweekly.com.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]