NORWICH – A Norwich couple has extended their generosity this holiday season by adopting two local families for Christmas and hopes to show the community that it really is better to give than to receive.
Harold and Gloria Whiteman of Peacock Park Manor said the idea to adopt a family originated at a meeting of the Tenants’ Association several weeks ago. While thinking of ways to make this Christmas memorable, the two said they had the idea of sharing their Christmas with an outside family of greater need.
The Whitemans said they didn’t hesitate with their plan. “I understand that it’s hard just to survive,” said Harold. He went on to say that he and his wife are committed to the thought and wishes more people would do the same. “We don’t have a whole lot to share, but we share what we can ... We’re both on disability and if we can do it, I think others should be able to.”
The two originally sought the referral of only one family from Roots and Wings in hopes of doing what they can to brighten a stranger’s holiday. After getting the referral of a local mother with two little girls – one six years old and the other three – another Peacock resident told them of a local mother in a similar situation. Gloria and Harold said they didn’t shy from the opportunity to help another family.
When word spread of Harold and Gloria’s idea to adopt two families for Christmas, tenants started making food, clothing and toy donations and for the cause. Additional donations began coming from outside the retirement home as well, said the Whitemans. “We started getting gifts from friends and relatives of the tenants too,” said Gloria.
Gloria – who is in need of oxygen, nebulizer and assorted medications to treat lung disease and Parkinson’s disease – said she wants to get the most meaning of this and every other Christmas awarded her.
“I wanted to do something for someone else,” Gloria said. “Now, our apartment is full of toys and gifts. It’s beginning to look like Santa’s workshop.” She explained that their closet is full of donations from various members of the tenants’ association. “We even got presents for the mothers.”
Harold said he’s ready to don a Santa suit to surprise the children when he delivers the gifts. “There’s even another tenant who’s going to dress up as my elf ... She’s willing to do it for the children,” he said.
Though Harold and Gloria claimed to have received offers of repayment from the two families, they turned down all proposals, insisting that a gift of generosity demands nothing in return.
Harold, who has been actively involved in community projects in the past, said this is an occurrence he hopes will become tradition. “It’s too bad that so many people are too proud to ask for help during Christmas ... I think it’s the best Christmas gift I ever gave. It’s something I want to continue doing every year,” he said.