Imagine spending Christmas alone, with no family or close friends to share the holiday cheer. How far would you go to create your own festive magic?Today, we unpack the extraordinary story of Jackie Turner, a student at William Jessup University, who found herself facing this daunting reality. Fueled by a childhood marked by abuse and void of warm holiday memories, Jackie made a bold move - she posted an ad on Craigslist offering $8 an hour to rent parents for the holidays. The response to her heartfelt plea was more than she ever imagined. Her inbox was flooded with messages from parents willing to lend their love and support for free, and from young people sharing similar stories of isolation. Using this wave of empathy and support, Jackie turned a bleak situation into a beacon of hope by organizing a meet-up Christmas potluck dinner. Tune in to hear how Jackie not only gained a mentor for herself, but also created a platform for connections and giving, proving that the true spirit of Christmas is about love, hope, and togetherness.Then, a look at ugly Christmas sweaters!This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5747537/advertisement