November 23, 2009

• Thanks and Giving (EDIT TO ADD)

  EDIT: Added some additional organizations!

  I wasn’t going to post anything else until next year sometime, after our move to the Midwest… But I think that this is important.

  I do not usually write posts like this; typically, I write memories or about the weird antics of my cats… you know, just “stuff”. Well, lately, I am doing a lot of things that I don’t “usually” do, and that seems to be working out well, so… Give me a second, here.

  ::: hopping up onto my orange crate :::

  There.

  This is for all of us, but I‘m especially calling on you, you, you… and yes. You, too. You know who you are.

  No matter who we are: political views, religion, colour of skin, country of origin, sexual orientation… no matter who we are:

  We are all screwed up in one way or another. We have all suffered. Everyone’s gotten the icky end of the lollipop at one time or another. The economy sucks; we’re at war. We are, more and more often, finding that we must sacrifice something to obtain something else.

  But we are all here. We are all human beings.

  And no matter who we are, what we do with our lives, or where we are from, or what our childhoods were like, there are people who are much worse off than we are.

  That bears repeating, I think: There are people who are much worse off than we are.

  I am asking you to consider those less fortunate than you – not just during the holiday season, but hey, it’s a fine time to start – and give.

  Give.

  I know (believe me; I have not worked since March… I KNOW) that times are tough. If you have a little extra money, God bless you; please, give some of it to a homeless shelter or soup kitchen (maybe buy them a couple of turkeys?), or donate a toy or two.

  If you don’t have extra money, God bless you; give some of the things you already have: coats, blankets, clothes you haven’t worn in a year, canned/boxed goods that have been collecting dust in your pantry… stuff like that. Send your extra holiday greeting cards to soldiers far from home. Knit your scrap yarn into hats, scarves and mittens for needy children.

  Give your time: Serve a meal or two at your local shelter or soup kitchen. Maybe collect non-perishable items from your neighbours. Volunteer to help people put their resumes together at the local job center, if you’re good at that kind of thing.

  Let’s be thankful for all that we have, and give others cause to be happy. It will make us feel good. In giving, we receive.

  ::: stepping off of my crate :::

  A few suggestions:

  http://www.toysfortots.org/

  https://www.uso.org/donate/custom.aspx?id=1384&

  http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/www_sa.nsf

  http://www.christmascharitiesyearround.org/
  
  http://www.justgive.org/?gclid=CMXY05SKk54CFcx25QodbQs_tw

  http://www.knittingforcharity.org/

  for folks in New Jersey:
  http://www.wemeananygarment.com/charity.html

  Operation Christmas Child (Thank you, ccarothers!)
  http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/index/

  Donate a coat for the homeless by November 30th, 2009 at the Lands’ End Shop @ Sears, and receive 20% off of a purchase! Through The Big Warmup: www.bigwarmup.com

  Donate blood to help support our troops! http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/apr2003/a040403g.html?&title=Go%20to%20Donate%20Blood.

  Look online, in your yellow pages and in your local newspapers. Check with your fire department, homeless shelter… there are all kinds of programs you can get involved with… or start your own!

  I will leave you with the beautiful words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:

  I heard the bells on Christmas day
  Their old familiar carols play,
  And wild and sweet the words repeat
  Of peace on earth, good will to men.

  And thought how, as the day had come,
  The belfries of all Christendom
  Had rolled along th’ unbroken song
  Of peace on earth, good will to men.

  Till ringing, singing on its way
  The world revolved from night to day,
  A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
  Of peace on earth, good will to men.

  And in despair I bowed my head:
  “There is no peace on earth,” I said,
  “For hate is strong and mocks the song
  Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

  Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
  “God is not dead, nor does He sleep;
  The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
  With peace on earth, good will to men.”

  Happy holidays!

  • 10:54 am
  • 31 Comments