I always look forward to this time of year; believe it or not, it starts with Halloween. While each season brings us something different, the joy and anticipation of the holidays make this time of the year a little more special. It all begins with the levity on that ghoulish Halloween evening where we enjoy watching kids dress up as their favorite characters, filling their bags with candy as they “trick or treat” their way around the neighborhood. I remember those days dressing up in costume myself, coming home with enough candy to feed a small country, much to my dentist’s delight. As I’ve grown older, that exuberance has been replaced by the satisfaction I see in others having this fun-filled evening.

A few short weeks later, we go from ghosts and goblins to pilgrims and turkeys. We welcome the season of Thanksgiving and seem to rekindle a stronger compassion for others. It is a time of year when our greatest joy comes from giving more than receiving. We seem to find inner peace in decorating our homes and listening to the music of the season, taking pause to cherish each moment.

 While I’ve always wanted to savor each holiday to its fullest, like many, I am ready to usher in the holidays earlier this year so we could inject a little joy into our lives after the devastating effects of Hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Milton. While some of us experienced less impact from this storm than we did from Hurricane Charley 20 years ago, others weren’t so fortunate. Through it all, it makes you stop and take stock of what is really important in life.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve been part of a special team of volunteers assembled by Punta Gorda Police Officer Joe Angelini that hosted 51 foster families and 144 foster children to a holiday luncheon. This touching holiday event Joe started 9 years ago, a year after he became a resource officer at Sally Jones Elementary School. Always having had a special place in his heart for children, Joe recounts how the school principal asked him if he would take a little first-grade boy named Lucas under his wing. Joe agreed, if the department would put him back patrolling the streets the following year, which was part of his service to the community he enjoyed. Little did Joe know the impact this child would have on him.

At the principal’s request, she asked if Joe would make time to have lunch with this young boy in order to build a bond and see if he could find out the cause of Lucas’ unacceptable behavior. Joe said at first, he was puzzled why a child this age would exhibit such an incidence of this kind of behavior, but as Lucas opened up to Joe, he shared how he had bounced back and forth between 10 foster homes in Lee and Charlotte Counties in one year. Then, Joe realized this boy needed more stability and a bit of a father figure and confidant. Joe started to take Lucas off campus to places like McDonald’s, where he could experience some of the pleasures children in a more normalized home setting enjoyed. Through their time together, Joe gained an intimate insight into how children in Lucas’ situation were starving for a permanent place they could call home.

While we reminisced about what it was like growing up and coming down Christmas morning to see the brightly colored presents Santa had brought us the night before, Joe felt an emotional tug at his heart. He saw how the holidays often accentuated the transient hand these children were dealt. Despite the best efforts these foster families were trying to provide the love and stability the children lacked, Joe felt these families and children needed more than a holiday lunch; they needed something where memories were made.

He met with Pastor Tim Buck of First Methodist Church in Punta Gorda, now New Life Church, along with various community leaders and restauranteurs, and the groundwork was established. Hearing what Joe was planning, an elderly lady in the community anonymously provided presents for each one of the children. Joe confided, “She provided and the Christmas Elves wrapped.” Joe’s love for these children caught the attention of the Children’s Network of Florida, which reached out to Joe with children and families in desperate need of holiday cheer that would carry them throughout the New Year. Joe told them, “If you know of a child in need, share that with us, and we’ll make sure their Christmas is a bit more special.”

Over these 9 years, this 16-year Veteran of the Punta Gorda Police force has created an event to remember. The buffet-style luncheon is more like a feast with fresh roasted turkey and enough side dishes and desserts to feed an army. Any additional food left over is carefully wrapped and delivered to the homeless shelter. After lunch, the children are treated to take part in a photo booth, a cookie decorating station, and a place where they can create their own ice cream sundaes. Of course, what holiday event would be complete without a personal visit and picture with Santa? Throughout the event, local musicians play holiday music in the background, along with festive decorations and lighted Christmas trees. It is a beautiful setting to behold. However, the best is yet to come.Upon leaving, each child receives 3-4 personal gifts to take home, and the foster parents receive a festive holiday bag with all the side dish staples and a gift certificate to Publix for a turkey that will feed up to a family of twelve for a wonderful Christmas dinner.

I’ve often wondered what gives us the most satisfaction in life and as I’ve grown older it isn’t the presents I’ve received, it is the joy of giving, and the look of surprise on someone’s face that gives me the most pleasure. Walking around the sea of tables, clearing them these past couple of years so the church could set up for their service the following morning, a couple of the children asked if they could clear the tables with me. To see these little ones, who weren’t more than 10 years of age, wearing adult disposable gloves and clearing the tables with me spoke volumes about how grateful they were. They had no idea how much they touched my heart.

As Joe and I sat together a year ago recapping the day’s events, he said, “Gary, I think about this event every day of the year and how we can make it better and touch the lives of more families and children.” In my recent conversation, Joe said, “This year, we are anticipating 150 children, including those that are now coming from Lee County.” I thought, “You didn’t just make their lives better; you made mine better, too.” I was afforded an opportunity to give, and to me, that was priceless.

As the holidays quickly approach, we want to send our best wishes to you and your family for all the happiness this season brings, and that not only will you be blessed in the New Year, but so will the lives of others whose lives you touch.

-Gary Cardillo