Thanksgiving is really the start of the holiday season. It’s a time to be thankful, grateful for what we have and to share with those less fortunate as we can.
It goes all year long but it seems that during the holiday season we are more aware of our surroundings and those who are in need of help.
Those charitable organizations that work all year at providing for communities like churches, the Salvation Army, food pantries, help with clothes and utility bills and there is more awareness when everyone is gathering together.
Thousands of people otherwise would do completely without.
We are look forward to gathering and being together, having plenty, but yet there are those who are struggling. There are, too, many organizations and volunteers who donate their time and energy, especially at this time of the year, to help others and fill those needs.
We’ve volunteered at different times of the year with some of these various organizations. We think if more people who haven’t ever given of their time, effort and when and where possible their financial resources they would be surprised to see how gratifying it can be.
Organizations and churches can always use volunteers, but at this time of year even more so and it can be critical to helping fulfill their mission of serving and providing for others.
Companies and businesses of various sizes are good and generous at helping provide for others. Think of how many people, adults and children, would completely do without if it weren’t for the generosity of these area and local businesses willing to step up.
We noticed this last weekend, for instance, that a firm provided more than 2,200 turkeys to families in need.
Churches have food pantries, clothes closets, and a variety of organizations hold dinners, collect and hand out food to ensure the needs are met for the thousands of needy people who would go without anything.
Some organizations work to ensure that kids have toys at Christmas who otherwise couldn’t enjoy Christmas at all. Some people take all this for granted and don’t seem to care.
Thankfully, though, there are those people who do care and realize the goodwill and hard work of these organizations and what it means to the less fortunate.
We would urge and encourage people who can and maybe haven’t to become involved and volunteer where possible with their time, effort and resources. All of it serves and fills such a great need.