2009 Gates Season of Service

Traditionally, the six Gates children and their spouses exchanged gifts every Christmas. In 2009, with families spread across five state throughout the country, we decided our tradition was too costly and difficult. Amy, the second Gates child, suggested that instead of the commercialized practice of buying small gifts only to pay high shipping costs, we each perform acts of service in the name of the sibling whose name we were assigned at random.

Our good friend Carrie Collins drew the names and notified each of us privately to keep secret who was doing good in your name. On Christmas Day, we revealed who we had and how we chose to celebrate the new tradition of the Gates Family Season of Service.

This tradition has helped us focus on serving our communities and one another during the annual celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The 2009 Gates Family Season of Service

• To Dad ---- From Mike
• To Mom ---- From Lani
• To Bill ---- From Mitzi
• To Charise ---- From Mom
• To Wayne ---- From Tiffany
• To Amy ---- From Ashley
• To Chuck ---- From Wayne
• To Ashley ---- From Hock
• To Mike ---- From Bill
• To Mitzi ---- From Amy
• To Hock ---- From Charise
• To Lani ---- From Ryan
• To Ryan ---- From Chuck
• To Tiffany ---- From Dad

Old Christmas Photos

A Few Funny Photos I Came Accross

Welcome to the Gates Family Service Blog

Hello and welcome to the Gates Family Service Blog. This is a place where we can share photos and stories about our service we do in the name of one another. (Feel free to also share old family photos or funny stories, etc. I love you all!
Mitzi

Visitors welcome!

Welcome to The Gates Family Season of Service blog! This tradition has helped us focus on serving our communities and one another during the annual celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

If you are not a part of the family, but are visiting to share in our special Christmas experience, please feel free to take a moment and share your thoughts by submitting a comment.

Many have expressed a desire to start this tradition in their family. If you do, we would love to hear about your experience. And if you allow, we will link to your blog and ask you to link back to ours. The first family we know of that has implemented a Season of Service is the family of Eileen and Michael Hock.