第 27 讲 阅读简答（2）(2010·湖南卷)Secret Santas On Christmas morning, Linda wakes up, and tries to imagine the wideeyed surprise of children in another household as they unwrap the presents she carefully chose for them. Linda has never met the children, but that's all part of the joy of giving as secret Santas, she says. “It's an amazing feeling to buy gifts on an anonymous ( 匿 名 的 ) basis，” says Linda. “It brings a whole new meaning to the holidays.” Linda and Tony are an American couple living in Toronto, Canada, and Linda did charitable work as a member of the American Women's Club of Toronto. As the name suggests, members are U. S. citizens living in Toronto, who join together for fellowship and community service. To find her “adopted” family, Linda goes to the local schools and requests a wish list for a family that's struggling to survive. Last year she helped a single mother with three children. The mother works as a cleaning lady in a nursing home. “The list is always heartbreaking. They have an opportunity to ask for anything and do just the opposite, asking for basic clothes or simple toys，” she says. “We always buy the kids a new winter coat, hats, and gloves.” She also buys gifts for the parents. Last year Linda asked the mother for a second wish list — one that didn't include the basics. “Every child should have a Christmas that sticks with them for a lifetime.” She purchased iPods for the two older children and a video game system for the youngest. “I have learned a very valuable lesson in all of this，” says Linda. “Pay attention to what's going on in your own backyard — no matter where you live.” The joy of giving as secret Santas...
