This time of year, our thoughts turn to good food with family, bringing treats to parties, and new recipes for people to go "Wow!" over! This is wonderful, as you know and love these people, should be your first concern..
The darker side of the Christmas season, would be the homeless, under employed, and the people who are out there- who have nothing to celebrate. They are broke. Think how that would feel.. Food is elemental in it's ability to make people happy- and at the worst, gives them the strength and hope to survive another day.
This Christmas season, see your way clear to help someone- not everyone, have a better time of it..do a small part to give something of yourselves, to people who have seen worse than you probably ever will. The gifter, is the one who gets the best gift.
Questions today:
1. Who do you know and care about, that needs a helping hand- and how will you give it?
2. What group you think could use your help(monetary or otherwise!) that you feel strongly about.
Kinda heavy today, but if you say it, you'll do it- and not regret it!
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Last year, on Christmas Eve day, I went out to the treatment center that I "graduated" from and spent the day making cookies, playing cards, and decorating the tree with the current patients. Being in treatment blows. But it blows chunks when you're locked up without your kids and your family.
I plan on doing the same this year. I don't have any money to give away, but I have a lot of time and love.
This is pretty easy. I have two neighbors that are both unemployed... One has been for 8 months, the other has been for 6 months. I invite them at least once a week to "sample" my experiments, letting them know that opinions are what I need, when in fact, I want to brighten their day a bit.
About 8 years ago, I was at a difficult point in my life, and my wife and I were broke. Has to do with legal issues, and the fun of being self employed. All worked out better than well, but for awhile, we were hurting. We received an anonymous gift of a big box of Omaha Steak stuff. It is impossible to describe the felling we had when we saw what a friend had done for us. Both of my friends will be getting the same box.
Also, I make annual donations to St. Jude Children's Hospital. I have a story that would break your heart. They deserve consideration for your charity dollars.
Wonderful post.
Oh my..how very thoughtful ! although i was born to the privileged segment of a third world nation, i can say i have seen so many people dwell in the abyss of poverty...but to me...what hurts the most is to see the amazing life my children have, and then in comparison the bleak future of those children back in Asia...it hurts because every child deserves the right to a beautiful life and bright future...So... I have already made arrangements for my mom to visit a girls orphanage and hand out 20 school kits...its not much but would at least prep them for the school year which begins in January...I wish I could do more though.
Kate- Your time has more value than money, and that is great!
Griller- I'm a random act of kindness sort of guy.. I give before they have to ask..
Nat- Do what you can, and feel good about it. No one person can solve this problem, just do what you can for the ones you care for..
usually around the holidays we pick a single parent that we will bless with a gift card to give christmas to their young ones, who may otherwise have naught...they usually let us know what they got...but we let them live int he glory...
Interesting that you posted these questions. As you know, I've found myself in a very difficult but hopeful place this Christmas season. It's not an unfamiliar place - I was here about 20 years ago but was single. It's much different being in this place with a teenager.
1. Who do you know and care about, that needs a helping hand- and how will you give it?
I am in a place where I have received a helping hand just this past week. 4 bags of groceries, a $40 gift certificate to my local market, a case of soup and a box filled with frozen meats, Christmas CD's and personal care items. I was so touched - so grateful - and so inspired to be part of this type of giving next year.
2. What group you think could use your help(monetary or otherwise!) that you feel strongly about.
For the past 18 months, Cam and I have donated 5 hours, once a month, to the Northern IL Food Bank. In fact, we'll be volunteering there this Saturday! As you mentioned, food is something so many of us take for granted. I am grateful that we have time to give to help out those in similar positions as us!
Brian- That's wonderful! So sad we don't have to look too far for people in need...
Dana-Sometimes we give, sometime we get..May all get better soon for you..Thanks from all with your work with the food bank..
One of my biggest concerns is that hubbys family is not teaching the eight siblings children to tone down the gift giving, its out of control, so each year hubby and I give money we would spend on each other to the food bank, and I work with a local group giving out blankets in Trenton.
Throughout the whole year I volunteer for children events in honor of my daughter, and give to angel trees...
Thank you for bringing this to the forefront. I grew up poor and we were often on the receiving end of this each year, but I still believed we were rich in love...
Thankyou for thinking of others Buff. x
This is fabulous. I need to think about this. So many people out there that we just need to stop what we are doing and HELP HELP HELP!
Chef- Do what you can, not what you cannot.. anything is a good thing!
Ake- We all think about it, what needs to be done is something!
Kris- Any little thing is more than nothing.. do what you can, no more than that..
Throughout the year, I send good outgrown clothing to Goodwill and Salvation Army (alternating between them). If I am able to walk at any point this season, I'll be going to the red kettles and putting twenties in them. I feel I should help those who are trying to help themselves. If I can't walk, I'll get Jeffrey to take the money.
Marjie- Excellent! Throughout the year is the best of all.. we tend to give at Christmas, and forget the need is year round..
We donate to the local food shelf year round, Toys for Tots and since the Salvation Army helped my Mom during a horrific time in her life, I never pass a red kettle without putting in whatever cash I have in my pockets.
I actually brought a tray of baked ziti to the homeless shelter last Christmas, and it was received like you would not believe! I really should do it again.
Tam- Who can walk out of a store after buying useless crap made in China, and ignore those people freezing their butts off, ringing a bell for charity...I can't, and wouldn't sleep at nights if I did..
Otin- Ironic.. right after I wrote this post, I called a local charity called God's Kitchen, and tried to volunteer..I got a recording saying they wouldn't accept any restricted callers..what are they afraid of?
You are so right! I host on Monday at The Motivation Station, I was thinking along the same lines in my entry yesterday -
http://tmschallenges.blogspot.com/2009/12/motivation-monday-helping-those-in-need.html
Almost all of us can give a little extra to help, and our time is probably worth more than our dollars.
Great entry! I hope it will get others thinking and taking action too *hugs*
We live next to a community in need. There's always something that needs doing. That last thing I did was spend a Saturday at a local school painting and cleaning and fixing it up. Volunteering is huge around here.
This is a beautiful post, Buff...a thought-provoking-get-off-your-ass-and-help post! Perfect for the season.
1) I need to visit Pepe in the nursing home down the street and bring him a winter sweater...after all, he is 100 and probably hasn't had many visitors in a awhile (and Miami gets chilly in the next few weeks).
2) Hands on Miami is a wonderful organization that I was a part of for a few years. I keep saying I need to get back into it. Yes, in 2010 I'll get back into it!! Hold me to it, OK??
Fabulous BD! I'm very involved in a charity called InterFaith Community Services. Just last Thurs a group of us cooked breakfast for 150 Realtors. They were to bring toys in exchange for breakfast. We filled a van brimming with toys for families in need this Christmas. I'm also a Rotarian. We give dollars year round to local kids organizations and our Colorado Military Families in need. With all that said, my passion is really with our older folks who sit in assisted living, nursing homes, or even trying to live independently who need help. I'd really feel much better about myself if I'd take the time to adopt a senior. Do something "hands-on" instead of group efforts. Breaks my heart to think about lonly old folks who don't have anyone.
Buffalo - your read my draft post!!
Our tradition: every year we pick a family or cause and adopt them for Christmas. Whatever they need - food, gifts, fuel. Last year our friend was in the Peace Corp and his village needed cement to pour a floor for a school, two years ago a teenager in upstate, very rural, very poor NY needed spinal surgery. He didn't even have pajamas - we made sure he had everything he need for his hospital stay, extended rehab AND we got a limo company to get him to and from the hospital and doctors in style - for free!!
There are lots of ways to help. this year we are stocking our local food pantry and of course, I am cooking...
To all above- There are just common folks like all of us, doing what they can.. at sometime we all received, and a good time to remember that is now. I have been reaffirmed by your giving efforts! The good folks will win in the end!
Women's shelters need everything this time of year. Orphanages usually have a party, send food, grocery gift certificates, unwrapped gifts and the paper to wrap them. We have always adopted families, always with kids and done what we can to help them have a special holiday.
Audrey- Wife has worked at some jobs, where I just made food, and she brought it in.. The Women's Resource Center being one of them..
I give year around in so many ways - I have lived in my neighborhood in the lower east side since 1985 and almost everyone around knows that I am the guy they can reach out to if they ever need to reach, if it isnt food its services if it isnt services its money.
A great post looong time!!! Thanks for reminding me.
DogB- I'm sort of a year round giver too.. when the need is oblivious, you give..
Gene- Right now, My town is freezing it's butts off, with snow everywhere... The homeless shelters are full, and you can't help but think of the poor..
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