Christmas has always been a time when we should remember others to me. Indeed, the very act of gift-giving is a way of caring for others, although I'm sure not many think back to the gifts brought by the wisemen as the origin of Christmas gift-giving today. We're generous with our own children of course, but at Christmas I try to find other ways to give.
My favourite Christmas charity is World Vision. As well as having a reputation for spending a very high percentage of donations directly on the people they are trying to support, they have developed a unique catalogue of Christmas gifts that appeals to me. You can give a wide range of things, from soccer balls to schoolbooks, from chickens to medical supplies.
It's those last things that appeal to me, so this year we are giving a cow to our children, and a goat and chickens to our grandchildren. They won't ever see them of course; the gifts will go to a family in Africa for whom it will make a big difference. It's also a way of reminding our children of the importance of charity, and perhaps getting them into the spirit of giving too. We're lucky to be able to afford it ourselves at this stage of life.
I also always give to the Salvation Army here at home. I miss the jingling bells of their Santas in the mall this year, but I'll mail a gift in. I believe they do good work, quietly and reliably, in our communities. There are several other local charities we support, especially the foodbank here in Meaford.
Finally we give to our church. It's not that we're terribly religious, although I would describe myself as spiritual. But we enjoy going to church once a week, both as a way to mark the week, and as a way to getting out in the community. And it won't be able to keep the lights on, or pay our minister, unless we help out.
In fact, I think a lot of churches will end up dissolving over the next two decades, and a very important force for good in our communities will be gone. You only have to look around at the sea of white hair, and the almost complete lack of children to realize that this is inevitable. In the meantime we'll do our best to keep it going.
Thank you for your giving spirit. World Vision is a great mission. Our daughter supports a little girl and her family through then. She has also been to her home to meet her. Thanks Mr and Mrs FG!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you're referring to the Heifer Project? Wonderful idea, where you help people to a livelihood, instead of a one time gift.
ReplyDeleteThere's such hardship here, hunger all around, so my main gift is $$ for the local food bank that they can spend on the immediate needs they know about.
I like your reaching out beyond your family.
Very good initiatives.
ReplyDeleteIn past years I gave to the Heifer Project and had forgotten about them. I'll look them up and send somebody the gift of an animal. Thank you for the reminder. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is sad to see the empty churches in rural areas here!
ReplyDeleteWe've always donated to our local food bank, but this year with so many out of work and COVID increasing we've substantially increased our donations to the food bank. And of course, we've always supported environmental organizations, especially land trusts, for without a healthy environment civilization is doomed.
ReplyDeleteWE donate to the local food bank, to teachers at the school for supplies and or food for students they have a program called The Backpack and it is filled with food to take home for the weekend, then there is Hospice, the local Animal Shelter and of course Church. I saw the Salvation Army out on street corners last weekend. :)
ReplyDeleteWe have always supported the Salvation Army in the past. This year I'm gifting to Good Shepherds. My daughter recently started working there as a program director. She told me of the dire needs of her community. I also have children's gifts and hand knits that will stay locally.
ReplyDeleteWe've seen the Salvation Army folk out at a few of the stores we've been to and I always try to leave some cash in my pocket for when I leave. Otherwise, our arms are full, gloves on and it is too difficult. The toy drive was a new donation for us this year but since we don't give gifts to our children and grands (until spring when we return from the ('virtual this year') south, we thought this was a good year to participate. Good post bringing home what is important. Thank you FG.
ReplyDeleteWe like the World Vision catalogue. My wife gave a goat one year in honor of her sister, and the sister didn't quite understand it all. Our church is on the computer and we connect to our tv to see it live. I enjoy reading you post today.
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