Sometimes We Make a Difference

Most of the time what we do on the radio is gone moments later. It’s entertainment and sometimes we provoke thought or create action but most of the time, it’s gone with the wind and it’s on to the next thing. 

So when someone tells us that we prompted them to actually do something, it’s pretty cool. We know that people respond to various things but we rarely hear about it. That’s why this Facebook message I received the other day meant so much. Blair and I had been discussing our Secret Santa tradition at Free 981. We draw names and you purchase a toy that you think that person would have loved as a child. We get the kick out of it and then we donate the toys to the Salvation Army. This year I got a Scrabble game. Perfect, right?

I also told the story of how many years ago I was involved in a Secret Santa exchange at a radio station out west. We were supposed to buy gag gifts only so I got some mint green, edible underwear for my boss whom I didn’t know very well. It turned out rather badly! He was very religious, very conservative and had very little sense of humour. He spent the rest of the day trying to root out who was responsible for the gift. I was grateful I hadn’t told anyone what I had done!

This simple note last week warmed my heart. Many more children will now get toys after some fellow Londoners share a little office cheer. That makes me happy!

“So Lisa, I was listening to you last week and you were talking about the Secret Santa you had at the station, and I thought what a wonderful idea.  I also giggled at your story about giving the boss at another radio station a pair of edible undies.  I mentioned this Secret Santa concept at work and they decided to do it too.  Yesterday we chose our co-worker that we would be giving the toy to, and yes, you guessed it, I picked our boss and he is very religious.  I think I will play it safe though, and buy him something in the basketball line, as he likes that sport.  I immediately thought of you though.”