I spent the past few hours with family and friends. We handed out more than 120 Christmas food boxes. Along with that, we also handed out presents for almost 180 children, ages 0 to 18. Then, to top it off, we handed out gift cards.
This is something we do every year.
The difference is that there were a lot more people in need this year. We've done this for about as long as I've lived in the area (and some of the local businesses and civic-minded people help out with the costs). There are other programs that do this, but those programs aren't that well-funded.
This year, more people than ever signed up for help. I imagine that it's not all that easy to sign up for help. That makes me think there are even more people who are in need, but are just not comfortable asking for help.
The thing is, that number is more significant when you look at how small the community is.
I'm not posting this to pat myself on the back. I'm posting it because I've never seen this many people asking for help.
If you're in a position to help someone, even if it's just one person or family, this is a good time to do so. You can even do so quietly, just by knocking on someone's door to give them a little help. If you can't help in a material way, you can even just offer to swing by for a visit on Christmas Day.
For me, it's not a religious thing. It's that I recognize that it's a special time of the year. That's our cue to help others enjoy this time of the year.
Again, not everybody is in a position to help. That's fine. In fact, if you reach out, there may be some programs that will help you out. (I'm especially fond of Toys For Tots, as it's a USMC thing.)
But, well, it you can help, then there seems to be a pretty big need for it this year.
This is something we do every year.
The difference is that there were a lot more people in need this year. We've done this for about as long as I've lived in the area (and some of the local businesses and civic-minded people help out with the costs). There are other programs that do this, but those programs aren't that well-funded.
This year, more people than ever signed up for help. I imagine that it's not all that easy to sign up for help. That makes me think there are even more people who are in need, but are just not comfortable asking for help.
The thing is, that number is more significant when you look at how small the community is.
I'm not posting this to pat myself on the back. I'm posting it because I've never seen this many people asking for help.
If you're in a position to help someone, even if it's just one person or family, this is a good time to do so. You can even do so quietly, just by knocking on someone's door to give them a little help. If you can't help in a material way, you can even just offer to swing by for a visit on Christmas Day.
For me, it's not a religious thing. It's that I recognize that it's a special time of the year. That's our cue to help others enjoy this time of the year.
Again, not everybody is in a position to help. That's fine. In fact, if you reach out, there may be some programs that will help you out. (I'm especially fond of Toys For Tots, as it's a USMC thing.)
But, well, it you can help, then there seems to be a pretty big need for it this year.
