MISSION: Hometown Kindness

It’s so easy to fall into the consumer culture that surrounds the Christmas season.  We get so wrapped up in buying, accumulating, and buying some more.  Sure, for many of us, it’s about the act of giving to those we love.  And that’s a wonderful part of the holiday season.  But we’re also concerned about saving money, so we shop at big box stores and often forget about the small businesses that line our streets–small businesses owned by families who have been in our neighborhoods for generations.  And we forget that they’re trying to make a living, too.

Affiliated Agent T’s mission truly touched my heart (and my eyeballs–to the point of tears!), because she made the decision to let her town’s small businesses know that they are a cherished part of the community.  This mission is truly one of my favorites.

DATE:
Saturday, 11 December 2010

OPERATIVE:
Affiliated Agent T

LOCATION:
Kittanning, PA (right outside of Pittsburgh)

TIME:
11 a.m.

I absolutely adore living in a small town. There is something comforting about the familiarity, the people talking to strangers as if they were old friends, and the absolute treasures you find in a small town. Treasures like the small businesses owned and operated by people who live in town, and raise their families here. They try to add to town, and make a living, and sometimes that can be difficult. I can imagine that Christmas can be really stressful for small town business owners, so I wanted to do something to show them they are loved and appreciated.

One thing people often associate with Christmas is cookies. I figured that Christmas cookies would made for a wonderful mission, so I spent a day baking four different kinds of Christmas cookies- oatmeal, chocolate chip, raspberry thumbprints, and sugar cookies. I made about a 11 dozen of each.

Then, I divided the cookies into little treat bags. I also made a treat bag with some candy- Hershey kisses, Reese cups, Kit Kats, and Snickers. I got 9 little baskets that were holiday themed, and put one bag of each kind of cookie, and one candy bag, in every basket.

Then, I made up the cutest cards to put in the baskets to let the recipients know that they were loved and appreciated, and to thank them for all they add to our wonderful town. I even made a fancy picture with the Secret Agent L logo on it. I also included the SAL business card, and encouraged people to check it out online.

Now, the tricky party- delivery. Clearly, there was no way to make this completely anonymous, so I decided I would pick 9 small, family businesses around town, and simply slip in, leave the basket, and if anyone saw me, simply smile and say hello, then leave. So, off I went. Almost every place had someone working the counter where I left the basket, so almost everyone saw me. They all seemed so surprised that a random person was bringing them a gift. It was so fun, I felt like Santa’s little elf. In one place, I was able to sneak in and leave it silently, and even got to snap a quick picture.

In order to make sure some men, not just women, were the recipients, I specifically chose 5 businesses that were completely male owned and operated (an auto parts store, a bait shop, a tire shop, and 2 restaurants). The other 4 businesses had women working in them, so it was pretty even. All seemed very excited to get their basket of goodies.

This was, by far, the best way to get in the holiday spirit. I am excited that I got to show some small town business owners that they are cared about, and this mission may become an annual tradition!