Joey's Cookies

In most ways, 
       Joey Athey is a typical seventh grade boy.

       Here’s what makes him unusual:

In 2003, Joey was a kindergartener.

His teacher gave her students an assignment

as Christmas approached.

Each of them was to give a gift

and write a true story

about the giving of it.

Joey thought about it.

            He decided to bake some cookies, sell them,

and use the money to buy

Christmas gifts for needy children.

What began as an assignment has become

a family tradition for Joey and his family.

For the past eight years 
       they’ve continued the tradition.

On the last Saturday of November,

the Athey family was hard at work

baking over 200 dozen cookies

in the large commercial oven

in our church’s kitchen.

Earlier this week they went to Toys “R” Us

and purchased $1200 worth of children’s toys.

The gifts are given to needy children

            through various charities in our county. 

Around the world at Christmastime,

untold thousands of ordinary folk

experience the joy of giving to others.

In my neck-of-the-woods,

            Joey is one memorable example.