Last Week, Orion made a special delivery to Delano Elementary: Toys and goodies from the holiday wish lists of 8 students who are part of Angel Tree families. The gifts were bought with funds collected from Orion employees throughout the year who had the option to make a $5 donation in exchange for the privilege of wearing blue jeans on Fridays.

One of the parents, Linda James, was late to arrive for the gift delivery.

Ms. James is caring for her 4 young nieces and nephews after their mother, her sister, passed away unexpectedly in 2010. Knowing that if she didn’t take custody of the children they would all go to foster homes and possibly be separated, she put her regular life on hold and became a parent to 4 small children. But as is so often the case, the commitments of parenting interfered with the time she could spend on her career and she eventually lost her job as a result. Since that time, the family of 6 had been living on the single income of her husband, Kermit. But recently, Kermit lost his job as well.

And on this day, she and Kermit’s arrival at the gift pick up had been delayed because they spent the afternoon at the unemployment office trying to find jobs. Obviously, being able to buy Christmas gifts is not the biggest problem the family faces, but Ms. James took great comfort in knowing that her kids would have gifts under the tree on Christmas morning.

And it brought us great comfort, knowing that something so seemingly insignificant as a $5 donation a few times a month, could play a role in bringing happiness and joy to a special person like Ms. James.

If you would like to share that feeling with us and help Ms. James, at Christmas or beyond, Please contact marketing@orionfcu.com.