Is There a Santa Claus?

By David Brown, CPM, OSCPM
dbrown@oktax.state.ok.us

This question comes up every year and people are often told the answer is “No.” This year after many years of delivering Angel Tree gifts, I took on the task of buying Angel Tree presents. I had four children ages 2, 4, 6, and 7. It’s been a long time since I shopped for kids this age and quite honestly - while I had all the eagerness and desire in the world - I quickly realized I had no clue what I was doing.

I went to the children’s area and asked a lady who worked there where to locate 4T clothes. She saw my Angel Tree slips, smiled, told me to go to a particular area, and I would find what I needed. She also smilingly told me if I had a problem to come back and she would give me further directions.

So I headed off and discovered that 4T clothes come in separate pieces designed so no matter how you try, you cannot find a bottom that matches a top. After doing a very good job of rearranging the area, I finally found a few sets for the child.

Then I headed out to find the rest of the children’s clothes and toys. My confidence was bolstered because I had a young boy who wanted a remote-controlled racecar. Bingo! Went right to the section that had remote control racecars and found one in my price range. Must be something in a man’s DNA?!

Next I had to buy two dolls. The first one was easy because it was Barbie, Brat or something similar. As I wandered along the doll aisle, I spied one that matched my slip, smiled, and quickly added it to my basket.

Okay, then thinking one last toy and I’m set! I started looking for a Ponies doll. These dolls actually use their legs because I must have gone up and down those aisles until I felt like I could stock the shelves. Finally, I approached a young lady who was with a little girl and asked her where I could find a Ponies doll. She saw my Angel Tree slips, smiled, and said she could help me. She was a first grade teacher. She tracked down the Ponies that had been hiding from me, smiled, and told me Merry Christmas and thanks for helping these young children.

As I was checking out the cashier saw the Angel Tree slips, smiled, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

This adventure -  so rewarding to me -  was made possible by OSCPM’s silent auction and the members bringing and bidding on items.

As I started this article,  I asked “Is there a Santa Claus?”  Well, thanks to OSCPM over 20 young kids would answer “Yes!” to that question. For me the joy of helping four young children whom I will never meet or know but had the joy of making happy, the answer is “Yes!”

© Copyright 2009, American Academy of Certified Public Managers®