It’s truly heartwarming to see the efforts of so many people within our community, and some from elsewhere, who have worked diligently using time, money, muscle and expertise so that others here can have something during the holiday season.

My fellow employees and family alike will verify that I’m pretty much an old Scrooge. The willingness of others to spread their joy of sharing brings me up a notch. I also realize that many generous deeds go unnoticed and unheralded. For those good deeders, I believe the angels will sing.

Meanwhile we found this year’s grinch. Her name will not be printed here and for the record, she was one of a very few from families served who complained about anonymous gifts from Secret Santa, the local organization that has collected thousands of gifts for the less fortunate of the county.

Her letter was taped to the door of the Secret Santa store in Sardis. It read, “. . . didn’t appreciate the gifts that u all gave my child and it was other people getting better stuff than my child . . .”

The letter went on, “I asked for clothes and didn’t get but four items. . . So I am giving this back. (The Secret Santa people told us that she returned only some of the items having apparently picked out what was wanted and returning the rest) You all can give it to someone that will take anything. . .What y’all gave my child I could have strapped up and got that myself. Y’all adopt the ones that really didn’t need anything and just gave us anything. This makes the second year you all have done this.”

Thanks Ms. Grinch, or whatever her name is, who ended her diatribe with “That’s not fair.”

The Secret Santas were a little reluctant with sharing the letter but I think it reflects a false sense of entitlement some have mistaken with anonymous gift giving for those who need a little lift.

If the letter enrages you, you are not alone.

But a friend in Christ who also works as a Secret Santa has taken it in stride.

“I know who she is and her address. Next year I’ll ask her to help be a Secret Santa.”

That’s the type attitude we could all use.

And a Merry Christmas to all (including you, Ms. Grinch).