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Can you believe the Christmas Jar giving tradition is celebrating its 10th anniversary?

Thousands of jars of change have been given away anonymously to people in need over the past decade, and many of those stories have been shared online at christmasjars.com.

With many more still to come, here are three of the most inspiring stories shared so far in 2015.

Each story is shared with permission from the jar recipient.

David City, Nebraska

I had just gone through a divorce. My son and I had just moved out on our own. We were doing OK financially, but things were tight. When I got home from work one night, I went out to plug in the Christmas lights and saw a gift bag and three presents on my doorstep. I tried to pick up the bag, but it was so heavy.

When I got it inside, I opened it up and lifted out the jar of change. I immediately started to cry. Who would do such a thing for us? The presents were the Christmas Jar books and a Christmas board book for my son. I still get teary-eyed today thinking about our Christmas Angel. This year, we are giving a jar and hope to bring joy to someone else’s Christmas.

— Emilee

Waukesha, Wisconsin

My husband was just recently diagnosed with terminal colon/rectal cancer with a large and very aggressive tumor which had already spread to his lymph glands behind his abdomen. We brought him home after a three-week stay from the hospital with in-home hospice care with me being his primary caretaker. He was home for five days, and I was having a day of crying — it was a little past 7:30 p.m. when a knock was to my front door only to find no one there. I opened the door to find a jar and book on my step. I looked all around the yard and down the street to see if I could find the person that left it and saw nothing.

It brought me to more tears just to know that someone would do that for my family. To whoever the angel was that delivered it, I just want to let you know that it really meant a lot to know there are still good people in this world and to say thank you!

— Diane

Logan, Utah

To the group of teenagers at Primary Children’s Hospital seven years ago:

On Dec. 12, 2008, you touched my life for the better. I was surrounded by loved ones in one of the waiting rooms at Primary Children’s Hospital when I saw a group of you, just young teenagers, walking through the halls. You were giggling and being a little suspicious.

You walked up to me and set a big jar of money on my lap and said “Merry Christmas” before rushing away.

I don’t remember how much money was in the jar, and I don’t remember what all of you looked like, but I do remember the smiles on your faces and how you made me and everyone else in that waiting room feel. I’ll never know why you decided to pick me when you must have walked past countless others you could have given it to, but I’m forever grateful you chose me.

You didn’t know this, but at that very moment, my precious 2-day-old baby was undergoing a life-saving surgery to fix a birth defect he was born with. It was a hard and scary day for us, filled with a lot of uncertainty and worry. I want you to know that you were our angels that day. You were our light in the dark and our good in the bad. You turned a negative experience into a positive one. You helped us experience the kind of joy that can only be felt during a hard time.

We were spending our Christmas season in a hospital a couple hours away from home, away from most loved ones and away from everything else that makes Christmas feel like Christmas, and yet, I’ve never felt the spirit of Christmas as much as I did that year. You did that for me.

You see, it was never about the money to us. It was about the fact that you made us feel something that no amount of money can buy. You taught us that the gift of service can change a trial into a blessing. I don’t think there is anything you can do for another person greater than that.

It’s been seven years, but I think about all of you often. I have always wanted to tell you how much your kindness meant to us and how grateful we are for each of you. We have been able to tell many people about your kindness, and we pay it forward as often as we can.

The little baby who was in surgery that day Krew, and we are proud to say he is a happy and healthy little boy. Nothing would make us more proud than to see him grow up to be the kind of teenager you were that day. We all know how much the world needs people like you right now. You are the ones that truly make the world a brighter place.

I hope this message somehow finds you, and I sincerely hope that whatever trials have come and will come into your life that you will be blessed in the same way you helped bless us.

— One Grateful Mom

Read more Christmas Jar miracles at christmasjars.com

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