Wednesday, December 3, 2008

A TIME FOR GIVING….BACK

The Christmas season is truly my favorite time of the year. I used to think that everyone felt the same. I've since discovered that not everyone shares my enthusiasm for celebrating the birth of Christ, the lights, the decorations, the treats, the shopping, the gift giving and general good cheer. This can be a truly sad, depressing and dark time for many people. I'm not trying to kill anyone's joy or anything just making a very real observation.

Each Christmas season I try to make some sort of contribution to make a difference in the life or lives of those that are less fortunate than I am. In years past I am always left feeling like I should have done more. I usually get too busy and end up never doing as much as I planned to do. I'm a true believer in the old statement, "Charity begins at home." I much prefer to look around and give where I can see the need and see my gift at work. Maybe that is a little selfish of me but I enjoy the gratification of seeing my contribution making a difference.

In the true spirit of the season, Thistle over at Of Thistles and Maple Leaves is throwing down a challenge to bloggersville to give back. I have copied the following directly from her blog (Thanks, Thistle) I would like to invite you to join me in finding new ways to give this year if you are so inclined. It can be as big or as small as you want it to be.

Please stop over to visit Thistle to see the original post.


The Rules

1. Choose some way to give back. Here's a few ideas….

  • donate to the foodbank
  • donate coats and blankets to a homeless shelter
  • support a craft or bake sale that is in support of your local arts program or senior's centre
  • give a bag of cat litter or dog food to you favourite animal shelter
  • donate blood
  • throw your change in the Christmas Kettle as you're going past
  • volunteer to man the Christmas kettle
  • make a new year's resolution to volunteer some time next year to coach a kid's T-ball team or a Special Olympics sport
  • have a toy drive at school
  • get a re-usable shopping bag

I'm sure you're full of ideas of your own. Maybe make it a family commitment, It's never too early or too late for kids to learn community involvement or the spirit of giving.

Now here's the award…


Pick this one…

…or this one…


2. Tell us all about it, post it on your blog. Then come back and pick up your award. Choose one badge or the other, or both if you're really in the spirit. And don't forget to link back here so we can follow what everyone is doing. And if you're already doing one or all of the above, pick up your badge right this minute!

3. Challenge all visitors to your site to do the same. Link back to the blog where you received the idea. And let's see where this can go.


And if you are in need of some inspiration as to what you can do….this post
at Only A Movie should provide it. Erin is way ahead of the rest of us and we should all follow her lead.

Psuedo over at Psuedononymous High School Teacher has an interesting and relevant Huffington Post link that addresses this topic of giving back to our community…check it out….


I'm not claiming this badge for my blog yet. I have decided that my contribution will be directed toward Hospice as this is an organization that does amazing work and has touched my life in a very personal and meaningful way. I'm not sure what exactly I'm going to do but when I figure it out, I'll post it right here. Just give me a few days.

If you are a reader here and do not have a blog of your own, feel free to leave a comment and I will post your ideas or contributions. Sharing your ideas and contributions can be inspiring to others and the more of us that give, the bigger difference we can make. If you feel like giving but aren't comfortable sharing the information, that's cool too. It's important to remember that it doesn't have to be a big gesture to matter. If your contribution helps just one person, it matters to that ONE person and that's what counts.

GO M.A.D!

(Make A Difference)


17 comments:

Anonymous said...

You always know just how to put things into perspective. I'm thinking about what I'll do and then I'll post this on my site as well. Can't wait to read what everyone is doing!

Bear Naked said...

I am donating to our local food bank.

Bear((( )))

Anonymous said...

I have already donated to the AFLAC Children's Cancer and Blood Disorder Hospital in Columbus, GA. I did that in honor of my family and I am donating toys & clothing to our local Foster Care program. I have three grandchildren who came out of that system & I am forever grateful for them.
Susan

Anonymous said...

Go M.A.D....i love that. Thanks for posting about this and getting involved/ i am so impressed with so many of the ideas i'm hearing from people. Which was exactly the point...to not only raise awareness of the need, but to share ideas of what people can do to make differences and create change in many different ways, from the small and personal and to the large and global. It's all good!

Thanks for your participation and for your reader's interest....

Pseudo said...

I really love your photo, the gift given with both hands. And I really like this project thistle started. REading what others are doing to make a difference keeps me inspired and gives me something extra to look forward to on the internet.

Anonymous said...

We give to Viet Nam vets. This country is so full of people in need... and pets too!

Lori said...

You are are one awesome woman! I really am excited about this project. I know that many of us already do try to give every year but it is great to share idea's and inspire one another. I love the "go MAD" saying...very clever. I can't wait to hear yours!

Anonymous said...

I will be back to read more...on my way out the door but wanted you to know my award from you has been duly noted on my post today and hung on my side bar. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

This is a wonderful post and I will be back to get your links and set it up! It is very sad that the "giving troll" gets so many people down at this time of year. Something like this can sure boost the spirits!

As a cashier at W*M I see people every day that are buying gifts for a cause or charity and it is so heart warming! There are people right here in OUR country that need our help, right in our own 'back yards'. This is such a wonderful idea!

Anonymous said...

Awesome. I'm linking Thistle too, this is such a great project.

Smart Mouth Broad said...

It's incredible what we can do when we pull together. Even tho we are all doing different things to help different causes, collectively we are making a huge impact! Go MAD!

Tricia said...

This is a wonderful initiative and I'm so glad to see how many people are picking up with spirit. Can't wait to read about what you decide to do with Hospice; they are an amazing organization.

Vodka Mom said...

We do a lot of incredible things at our school for local needy families. It warms my heart that so many bloggy friends are so incredibly generous!

Reader Wil said...

You are a very great lady! X-mas is a time of giving and not of getting and receiving. I always try to combine St.Nicholas( 5th December), my birthday( 4th December) X-mas (25th December ), with presents like a donation to UNICEF or OXFAM. We have everything and need nothing more.

Smart Mouth Broad said...

Tricia-It is inspriring to see what everyone is doing and awesome to think of the impact we can make together.

VM-Schools are always right out in front of the giving. I think that's because they often see the need at every level.

RW-I'm really just following Thistle's lead and only hope I can accomplish what I plan to do.
How very nice that you combine your birthday with giving to others. I think you are a great lady!

rachaelgking said...

What a great idea... there's a shelter on my block I can bring some food/litter to. Thanks for the inspiration!

And you are NOT the only one who LOVE LOVE LOVES Christmas!!! Not by a long shot: http://www.livitluvit.com/2008/12/its-feeling-like-very-charlie-brown.html

Smart Mouth Broad said...

Lilu-We can make a difference!
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll come back soon.