By Jared Lindell
Every holiday season, a very prominent tale is told that focuses on the true meaning of Christmas. Most people could probably guess that story is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. However, there is another prominent story that does not get as much play but carries a similar good-spirited message. That story is The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry. If you are unfamiliar with this story, here is the basic background: A couple by the names of Jim and Della Dillingham Young share strong love for each other but struggle economically. To raise money for a Christmas gift for Jim, Della decides to cut off her long hair to sell for a wig, while Jim decides to sell a prized pocket watch to buy Della a comb for her beautiful hair. In short, the story’s theme is that physical possessions are not as important as the love shared between two people.
How does this relate to the Community Foundation? Well, by using your imagination, you can see how this story is very relevant to CRCF…
(The following is based on O’ Henry’s The Gift of the Magi.)
Jim Dillingham Young gave the rusty, old doorknob to his apartment a solid push, and the tattered door creaked open. To his amazement, he immediately noticed his wife, Della, sitting on a crotchety old stool, preparing to take a pair of scissors to her long, beautiful hair.
“What are you doing? Stop, now!!!” shouted Jim, as Della dropped the scissors with a scream.
Jim questioned, “Were you about to cut off your hair?”
Della began to sob.
“What is it sweetheart…what’s the matter,” stated Jim.
Through her weeping, Della was able to force out the words, “I was cutting my hair to sell for a wig…I thought it would allow me to make some money…to help buy a Christmas gift for you.”
“But I adore your hair, and your love is better than any physical gift you could give me,” Jim responded.
Beginning to look slightly despondent himself, Jim then stated, “I have a confession. I sold the watch my father handed down to me to buy you a gift.”
Looking very surprised, Della shouted, “But that was your favorite watch in the whole world and your only remembrance of your father!”
Now Jim began to sob.
Then Della jumped up as though electricity shot through her body and exclaimed, “Darling, you know you didn’t need to get me a gift either. Your love is all I need to be happy.” She continued, “As I walked to the wig shop today, I passed the Community Foundation.”
Jim look puzzled, not understanding Della’s train of thought.
Della continued on, “The Community Foundation is a wonderful organization that helps area students, organizations, and the community as a whole. Your father was an active supporter of this community. Why not take your earnings from his watch, donate it to the Community Foundation, and start a fund in memory of your father? That way, you don’t need the watch. Your father’s memory will live on through the fund and the community will benefit in his name forever.”
A smile finally crept over Jim’s face.
“You are absolutely right!” he exclaimed. “While we might not have much, there are people in this community with far less than we have, and the money I earned from selling the watch would truly serve to help those people. Besides, you are right. We don’t need the money as long as we have each other.”
THE END.
Obviously, this is not exactly how The Gift of the Magi was written, but the theme holds true to the Community Foundation. CRCF shares a love of the Chautauqua region with all those who seek to provide benefit to the Chautauqua region. In sharing of this love, gifts are made and grants are awarded but the value of these gifts and grants are not important, as long as they continue to be made. CRCF’s gifts to the Chautauqua region are possible because of your gifts to us, and our appreciation can never be expressed enough. From the Community Foundation Board and staff, we thank you for your gifts and wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!