The thing is that in a situation like that some super nice act on xmas isn't necessarily going to be a life-changing event for them. It's the day-to-day shit that makes a difference. Fatty (and others), I know how hard it is to see/hear about someone's hardships and blame it on them, but the fact is that there are more things in this world that can change people you love beyond your control.
Take this kid for example:
His name's Ronnie, and that a pic of him in my car on the dyno @ DB. He is my brother's godson, and my brother earned that tile by taking care of the kid a few days a week for the past three years. Why you ask? Ronnie's dad fell into a nasty meth habbit and has lost all sense of reality. I'm not going to even say here the amazingly stupid shit this guy pulled on his family, but trust me, it is been beyond uncool.
Anyways, I buy the kid sweet presents for his bday and xmas and I feel good about it, but it's my brother that's the real hero IMHO.
BTW, that day he was with me @ DB, Dan's little boy was there. They are about the same age, and while my car was on the dyno, Ronnie was flipping through mustang mags with him and I heard him mention once that mustangs sucked. Heh! The kid loves mitsu's!
just my $.02
merry xmas!