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' '( '.mtihuut fr om page 6) • : Bt] jp * ■ "But we also told them that we want a report back next Christmas. We want to know what it is they’ve tlone for someone else—because that is going to be our Christmas gift from them." Granddaughter Elisha Blickenstaff was in her early 20s at the time and remembers everybody be ing “a little bummed out" when her grandparents requested "no more presents." However, when they asked for good deeds instead, the mood changed. "1 thought it was very cool because you can have so many possessions, but it’s a little different when you're thinking, 'What can I do to better some one else's life for Christmas?’” A tradition takes root A year later, the family gathered again at the Land er home and, one by one, each member shared their act of kindness bestowed in the spirit of Christmas. Candy and her husband, Scott, talked about pro viding recreational activities for economically dis advantaged kids through a Christian teen center in Kingman. Candy's brother. Trey Gordon, and his wife, Ruth, shared I row they sponsored kids who couldn't afford lessons, outfits or coaching at a local family-run gymnastics program. Joan’s brother, Ken Gipe, talked about reading books aloud to residents of a nursing liome in Las Vegas. Candy 's son, Scott, and his wife, Jamie, described raking a homeless man to a restaurant for breakfast, and a misty-eyed Elisha shared how she and co-workers at a Starbucks coffee slxip in Las Vegas had “adopted” for Christ mas a family whose mother was stricken with brain cancer and father was laid off from work. 'Til never forget the day when we brought a little Christmas tree to this family's house and decorated it and bought all sorts of gift certificates to help,” retails Elisha, now 26. “When we gave it to this woman, she fell on her knees weeping. Tliey didn’t have much to give their kkls. She was so blown away. That was the most touching thing I had seen in a really king time" fg ■■■■■Hi a f MBkmmm . From left: Skyler Whalen, Jessica Baca,Travis Vogel and Randy Thomas Elliott open Christmas stockings delivered by Brandee and Pete Proffit (at left). Today, doing a gixxl deed for Christmas has become a treasured family tradition in the extended Gordon family, which now includes Frank and Joan, their two children, three grandchildren and respective spouses, Joan’s brocher, four great-grandchildren and one baby, due in March. And sharing tlieir stories with each other at Christmas has become the highlight of their annual holiday gathering in northwest Arizona. “It’s more fun than giving a lot of unwanted gifts," says Frank, 79. “Everyone Icxiks forward to it." The “gift"-giving rules are simple: "It has to be done within the year, and it can be either monetary or giving of your time or energy in some way,” Can dy says. "We have a whole year to come up with something, and then we have to come Ixick and tell everyone else what we've done.” The first year, everyone just went around the room and described their good deed. But after that, Frank and Joan asked for the deeds in writing as well, so they could keep a record of the family’s Christmas "gifts.” Tile notes are kept in a family scrapbook. “When I see how happy all the family is in prepar ing their little note and what deed they're claiming that day, it’s kind of fun just to sit back and watch," says Candy, 52. "I know my parents enjoy it more than any present we could give them.” (Continuing the tradition, this year Trey Gor don’s daughter, Brandee Proffit, 33, and her hus band Pete, 37, delivered Christmas gifts to chil dren of residents of Angel Manor, a transitional housing and recovery program in Kingman for women addicted to alcohol or drugs. Get a FREE American Profile Cookbook! Hundreds of delicious reader recipes -• carefully tested in our AW kitchen. Order now through Jan. 31 to get this very special offer. ' JlgSi To get both cookbooks for $18.95, please call toll FREE (800) 715- "W ' ;(g 6248, visit www.AmertcanPrafile.com/store. or write to American ' Jjjf' Profile. Dept. HHB2-A852. PO. Box 344, Louisiana, MO 63353. Your '***** CA. TN, H. MO. NY residents add state sales tax. MH62-A852 Allow 1-3 weeks for delivery. Expires 1/31/09. Pfiotos by Eli:- hi Bfrc^^nstaff The recipients of the gifts—Skyler Whalen, 15; Jessica Baca, 10; Travis Vogel, 5; and Randy Thomas Elliott, 2—were surprised, and their mothers were moved by the act of kindness. “We were all pretty emotional,” says Dustin Whalen, 39, the mother of Skyler and Travis. "It’s a blessing to have people who care so much.” A pkilosopliy of giving Frank and Joan always have emphasized charity, community service and “giving back” to otliers, according to Candy. "It wasn’t shouted from tile rooftop, but it was quietly taught,” she says. Retired as chief justice of the Arizona Supreme Court in 1992, Frank actively encouraged lawyers in Arizona to participate in a program that pro vided tree legal advice to people who couldn’t afford it. During his tenure, he required felons to learn to read and write in prison. And he still actively sup ports a United Methixlist homeless shelter in Phoe nix, along with numerous other charities. "I started out as a lawyer in Kingman, where my father had also been a lawyer," says Frank, who now calls Phoenix home. "My father always emphasized that you’ve got to give back to the community. He said you owe it to the community because people there have done so much for you in a lot of ways that you don’t even realize.” He and Joan passed along this philosophy to their own children. "We were brought up to help others, so this wasn’t a new concept," (indy says. “But I think my parents hoped that changing tlie way we do Christmas would continue that tradition down the line. I think tliey hoped that their grandchildren and great-grandchil dren, and even their friends, would catch die spirit.” The tradition has been passed on to friends of the family who now ask their own children to perform charitable acts. “I think it’s spreading," Joan says. Gifts of love Over tlie years, the Gordon family's grxxl deeds have included teaching English to recently arrived refugees and training a therapy dog to work with people with Alzheimer’s disease or brain injuries. (Continued an page 10) Page 7 • americanprofile.com