More On The Angel Trees … Please Read This One

Tom McCutcheon – Attorney at Law

Becoming a lawyer was one of the best things that ever happened to me. You get to learn so much about life through other people. My Father told me when I began that if I put my clients first, the business end of it would take care of itself and as was his habit, he was absolutely correct.

I met a lady who had had a hard life after a bad divorce and I will never forget her recollection of the good part of her marriage. She said “we had everything we needed and most of what we wanted.” That really impressed me. Every one of us has everything we need by and large. A whole lot of us have everything we need and most of what we want.

It breaks my heart to read the requests of the angels on the Angel Trees. It physically hurts to see four, six and eight year old children who need winter coats and complete outfits and socks. These angels are mainly asking for clothes. Some of them have a wish list for a few toys but there is not one child that doesn’t need basic clothing. The size of the clothing and shoes is listed because it is so important.

I have been patting myself on the back the last few years because my law firm sponsors a big drive for toys. In retrospect, we are meeting wants and not needs and I didn’t realize until we had an Angel Tree in our office how basic so many of those needs are. Joel and I are going to continue to host “The Party With A Purpose” which gathers large numbers of Christmas presents for children who otherwise wouldn’t get Christmas presents. I guess that’s important but certainly not as important as a warm coat for a child who needs one.

I have seen how hard the Salvation Army volunteers work to make sure that children in our area not only get what they need but also celebrate Christmas. I’d like for everyone in this year of change to make an extra effort to reward the hard work of these volunteers. They certainly aren’t doing it for themselves. When Regency Square Mall put profit and convenience over the true spirit of Christmas, they made it more difficult for children who need winter coats to stay warm.

Go to an Angel Tree and get an angel or two. The Angel Trees are at 1) my office on the corner of Helton Drive and Bradshaw Drive in Florence, 2) Long Lewis on Woodward Avenue in Muscle Shoals, 3) The China Doll Hair Salon on Darby Drive in Florence, 4) SunTrust Bank on Court Street in Florence, 5) SunTrust Bank on Cox Creek Parkway in Florence, and 6) ECM Hospital in Florence.

Thank you all and may God Bless. . . buckle up and drive safely.

McCutcheon & Hamner, P.C.
2210 Helton Drive
Florence, Alabama 35630
Telephone: 256-764-0112
Facsimile: 256-764-1124