With the holiday season fast upon us, I can only reflect upon those in need. For 13 years running, I participated in the Salvation Army's Adopt A Family program. You volunteer to provide a nice holiday for a family in need. It always tickled me to get a family with at least one child. The families needs were never extravagant. Some of them included: a new pair of sweat pants and socks for mom; a pair of boots and a winter coat for dad; a doll for the little girl. Cleaning products. Gift cards for the grocery store.
This year, we have been so broke I was wondering at times if I needed to sign my family up for the Salvation Army Adopt A Family program.
We've gotten over that hump mostly.
I am disappointed I wasn't in the position to help out another family, though. Christmas is a jolly merry time that is totally disheartening to so many people who are lacking some basic things like shelter, knowing where the next meal is coming from, wondering how to pay for heat and get a coat for the kid for winter. No matter how depressed I get about my own situation, I am thankful that I have a house I co-own with the bank, I can afford groceries and heat and even if I can't give my kids the spectacular type of gift giving Christmas I would like to, they will both get something and most importantly, they both know they are loved and cherished all year round. We will eat a nice meal and enjoy our time together. That is more precious than any RC car or doll can ever be. That is what they will always remember.
When you give your money to some national charitable organization, think twice. Think about where you live and what you can do to help someone in your own community first of all. It's hard to believe but there are people right here in this country, some of them your neighbors most likely, who can not afford food. There are kids who go hungry every night. There are people who can not afford a place to live.
The American Dream is becoming the American Myth more and more these days.
Think about if you lost your job, your house, your car and you have kids. You have no money for a down payment for an apartment. You have no way to get to an interview for find a new job. Where would you go? Who would you turn to? This is happening right here, right now.
I don't have much, but I can always afford to give a little in hopes that it helps someone out.
America is a World Power third world country. This is a sad fact that too many people choose to blithely ignore.
It's no wonder the holidays trigger lots of family violence and profound depression. After all, we're all supposed to be lavishly gifted and wined and dined. If you pass that Salvation Army bell ringer, if you can only throw in a quarter, do it. I may not have much but I have a lot more than many.
(Puts soapbox away.)
Too True. I see it everyday at work. We are constantly brainstorming ways to get these families everything they need but it is indeed a blessing to be in a county where people are so generous that the Adopt A Family had more families willing to adopt than families needing adoption this year!
Posted by: Holly | December 21, 2004 at 08:15 AM
We had a bunch of homeless people living in a small wooded area off one of the highway exits near my house. They would take turns standing on the exit with signs that read, "Need food". People were completely up in arms about this tiny community within a community, so somebody cut off all the branches of the trees from about the four-foot mark down. Now there's nowhere to hide.
This is an improvement? Gah.
Posted by: Stacy | December 21, 2004 at 08:31 AM