IRVINE, TX—When employees of the Salvation Army Homeless Shelter found 5 large boxes left anonymously on their doorstep last week, they were thrilled, sources report. They assumed the boxes came because of a recent public service radio campaign stressing their need for donations of underwear, socks, and toiletries. However, the boxes, each weighing 30-40 lbs., were filled with used wrapping paper.
The paper, primarily Christmas-themed, with some birthday and wedding styles mixed in, was folded neatly and stacked carefully in the boxes, some still with traces of tape. Shelter manager, Carly Mitchell, 48, at first thought it was "some kind of a joke." But placed neatly on top of one of the boxes was a very nice hand-written letter, explaining the donation. It read, in part: “I know you people don’t have much, but if you wrap up what you have, special occasions can seem more festive.”
Although Mitchell graciously accepts all donations the shelter receives, this one was the most odd since the case of poker chips two years ago. Said Mitchell, “I mean, we’ve never really had a need for wrapping paper. Like... ever. And used? Who would even save it?”
That question was answered with a little detective work from the shelter assistant manager, Wade Carlisle, 32. Searching through the stacks of wrapping paper, he found a gift tag still affixed to one sheet decorated with snowmen. Searching the internet and making several phone calls, he traced the donation to Edith Witrock, an 82-year old widow. Ever-vigilant in bringing you top news stories, The Colon had a few questions for Mrs. Witrock so paid her a visit in the home where she has lived for the last 38 years.
Mrs. Witrock seemed pleased that her donation has captured the interest of the community and explained that she started saving paper many years ago because of a tradition in which brides save the paper from their bridal shower to line the drawers of their baby’s dresser. “I really didn’t know how many children I would have, so I just saved all of it from that point on. The stacks just got bigger and bigger; my 3 children got bigger and bigger and I kept on saving to line the drawers of their children, too.” She sheepishly admitted that she hasn’t actually used it to line any drawers, “But I could.”
When asked if she might have a tendency toward hoarding (her home was very cluttered when Colon correspondents visited), she quickly responded, “Oh heavens no! Those hoarders save all sorts of just plain junk, but I save only things that are useful.” At the end of the visit, Witrock's daughter, Amy, 51, confided that the reason Edith finally gave up the paper was because the Fire Marshall had warned her to get rid of it or face stiff penalties. Giving it away was a bit easier emotionally than throwing it away. She still has one drawer of wrapping paper in her bedroom.
It is believed that a recent anonymous donation of 30 years of old newspapers to The Colon can also be linked to Mrs. Witrock. When asked what the shelter will do with the wrapping paper, Mitchell shrugged, “I suppose we could line a few drawers.”