This Christmas Choose to make a difference

We are now one short month away from the big day — Christmas.

As John Lennon crooned, “What have you done?”

Canada has 33-plus million people. We always seem to quantify value as cash. If ever we had a chance to show that true value is so much more than just money, the holiday season is the time to do that.

If everyone took time to do just one thing, volunteer for just one effort, give to just one charity, or get involved with just one organization, imagine how bright the lights could shine this season, and more importantly, moving forward.

Familiar are the vistas of Sally Ann kettles asking for your change. This money goes to providing everything from a warm meal to a warm blanket to a warm message of hope.

Some feel if you can’t spare the change, you can’t help. Not true. Can you open a tin, wash some dishes, or mash potatoes? Organizations such as the Army are always looking for volunteers. Feel free to offer your time.

Other endeavours also deserve your support — whatever that support is.

Toys For Tots, Operation Christmas Child, Make A Wish, Santa’s Chimney, Wounded Warriors, local United Way and Community Foundation initiatives, shelters for teens, abused women, and homeless at the coldest time of the year — can all use money for sure, but they like smiling faces and helping hands as well.

The true spirit of Christmas and the character of our country has always prided itself on making sure we take care of our own. Kindness and volunteer spirit is something Canadians rock.

Giving a hand up more than a hand-out, is a concept Canadians embrace, and that too is important. These two goals are not mutually exclusive, it is important to point out. Some efforts are best left to the ‘experts’ and mostly require simply your financial support; others are more grass-rooted and can really use some strong backs as much as, or more than, funds; and then there are all of the others in between.

Whatever your passion, whatever your ability and means, ask yourself if there is just one thing you can do — just one thing — that will help make somebody’s life better. Because someone is thinking the same thing about you and yours.

And that folks, is the true spirit of Christmas.

Source: Fred Rinne, Grande Prairie Daily Herald Tribune