Hello, everybody; ModernDayBard here! More on the fundraiser this time, but more of an overview. This ends this little arc, but with a few more stories before we call it done for good.
Anyhow, let the Christmas season continue! (We own neither show nor songs).
Give this Christmas away—
If there's love in your heart,
Don't let it stay there!
Give this Christmas away:
And your life will be changed,
By the gift you receive,
When you give this Christmas away.
The concert was nearly over, but the 'bake auction' (because, as adults, they didn't have 'bake sales') was still to come. So far, it was going extremely well, with a sold-out crowd, though whether they'd been brought in by the advertised performances or by the chance to aid the local children's hospital (the charity of choice that year) was difficult to determine.
Her part of the concert over, Jenny dashed through backstage into the conference room where Jess, Josh, and Will were setting up for the auction.
Time to see what I can do to help.
It's feeding the hungry;
It's serving the poor;
It's telling the orphan,
"You're not forgotten anymore;"
It's doing what love does,
Even when no one's watching you.
Jenny was so grateful to be a part of a company that put on charity events like this—it reminded her of holidays growing up, where her family would make meals for firefighters, police, doctors, and nurses who had to work through the holidays apart from their families, or of times spent visiting nursing homes and children's hospitals. She still wanted to do something along those lines, but this was a good start.
It's good to raise and give money, but giving yourself is always best.
What if I told you:
"You have the power,
To give someone hope,
Far beyond their wildest dreams,"?
What if December looked different this year?
What if we all just—
The last-minute prep—all the dashing around to be sure the dishes were in the right order, with appropriate description's on Josh's card (he being the auctioneer), and all allergen information correctly and prominently displayed—had just been finished when the conference room doors opened and the crowd filtered their way in from the theater.
Those in the company tasked with 'table duty' spilt form the throng and made their way to their assigned positions, and the rest, dubbed the 'hospitality crew' helped their guests get settled and explained how the auction was going to work.
Jenny surveyed the controlled chaos proudly and with the slightest flutter of nerves remaining in her stomach. Everything seemed to be going well so far, and she was proud to see how well the company had put together the even in so short a time frame and with the next play looming large on the horizon.
We're always willing to make time for the things that mean the most to us.
Give this Christmas away—
If there's love in your heart,
Don't let it stay there!
Give this Christmas away:
And your life will be changed,
By the gift you receive,
When you give this Christmas away.
The evening was a success, and even full of familiar faces—Jenny had noticed Mrs. Hudson, John, Mary, and even little Michael in the crowd, and had been somewhere between honored and mortified when her landlady had bid on (and won) one of the pecan pies she had submitted to the auction.
The only thing that made the night better, was imagining the looks on the kids' faces as they opened the presents that would be bought with some of the proceeds.
No better way to spend the holidays.
Give this Christmas away…
You have the power,
Just give it away!
So, yeah. That's the company's charity event. A few more chapters, and then Christmas is here!
As always, if you saw something you liked, or somethin you think I can fix/improve on for next time, feel free to leave a review and let me know!
Song: Give This Christmas Away
Recommended Version: Matthew West and Amy Grant