Do you know the Christmas Jar Tradition? It was new to me. I learned that the rescue was a recipient of one this year. It is just a simple jar used to collect spare change each day. During the week before Christmas, you carefully select someone to give it to anonymously.

It arrived with the note in this photo, and a copy of the book “Christmas Jars” by Jason F. Wright (we added cutie-pie, Benson!). The family writes:

Dear Homeward Bound
The Christmas Jar is our favorite Family Christmas Tradition. This year our son chose who he felt we should give it to. You are his choice. He had the opportunity to volunteer at Homeward Bound two summers ago, he learned how to work hard and loved all that he learned from the people who run Homeward Bound.

He is currently serving a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He is serving in Micronesia, on the island of Palau. The island has an overpopulation of dogs. He sends many pictures telling us that he has adopted them ALL!

It touched our hearts to know that we had made such an impact on this young man – and that he carries our passion for rescue forward.

It’s a wonderful new tradition that I’ll be incorporating into my holidays going forward. You can read some of the touching stories from recipients here.