Welcome Wednesday :: Presents Under the Tree

As we all wrap up our Christmas shopping, both literally and figuratively, and get ready for the big day, eager to show our loved ones what we’ve given, eager to see excitement and joy on the faces of our little ones as they rush to see what Santa has left for them under the tree, we should stop and think of those less fortunate. There will be many families and many children who won’t have much, if anything, under the tree this Christmas. Many are still struggling, unable to make ends meet. What can we do? What can our children do to help these families in need?

A good place to start would be to visit your local police department, town hall, rescue missions or any local charity. Find out about toy and food drives. Enquire about adopting a family. My child’s school does this every year. Through our town’s family services agency, they get a list of those families who are in dire times and those families provide a list of those things that are needed and wanted. Each year a “Giving Tree” of sorts is created in the school’s lobby. Names of family members, their ages and their desired gifts are placed onto a tree. Someone from the school then picks a member of the family and selects the gift to be purchased. It could be as simple as a pair of gloves, a bathrobe, a pair of work pants or a video game. The gifts are then purchased and wrapped, and before school gets out for break, they are delivered to family services who then ensures that each gift is presented to the appropriate family. Several private schools do this in fact, and several families are sponsored. Sometimes local public schools or athletic clubs will have information on families in need as well. It’s a wonderful way to be able to give back to and support your own community.

Soup kitchens and food pantries are always in need of food, funding and volunteers, especially this time of year.

What do you do to help those in need during the holiday season? We’d love to hear from you!