Charity and the Holidays
Christmas is such a great time to get involved in charity, especially for first-time givers. One doesn't have to look too far to find an angel tree, Toys For Tots, or some agency that is collecting gifts for the needy. We've had years when rather than giving gifts to relatives, we adopted a charity in their honor instead. It is so rewarding!
We made a big mistake one year though. This was back in the DC area, before we had kids. We decided to adopt a whole family. It was so much fun going shopping for them, especially the kids. The mom got gifts too. A young mom (about 25) with 4 kids and apparently no father around -- it was going to be a difficult Christmas without any help.
The mistake was that chose the option where we could deliver the gifts to the family in person at their house. Certainly this family lived in a part of town that I thank God I do not have to live in. But one step in their living room, and we were surrounded by a HUGE late-model television, maxed-out stereo, digital cable tv, and other expensive electronics.
It was very frustrating for us. We have had times when money was very tight, and we've never taken or looked for assistance from anyone. We budget our money carefully so that we never have to go in to debt, even when things are tough. We resist the late-model televisions, and we don't have digital cable, tivo, ipods, or XM radio. I don't go to fancy salons, get my nails done, or get massages. (Although the latter sounds really nice!)
When money is tight, especially tight enough that you seek assistance from social service agencies, it's time to cancel the digital cable and consider selling the expensive electronics. Sometimes you have to really sacrifice, and give up all those things that are not requirements for survival.
I know that all of the families who are seeking help at Christmas are not like the family whose house we visited. If I thought that, I wouldn't continue participating in such charities.
I still encourage everyone to do some kind of charity this season, whether you celebrate Christmas or some other holiday. Most of us have far more than we need. And there are some children out there who truly do need our help to have a Merry Christmas.
We made a big mistake one year though. This was back in the DC area, before we had kids. We decided to adopt a whole family. It was so much fun going shopping for them, especially the kids. The mom got gifts too. A young mom (about 25) with 4 kids and apparently no father around -- it was going to be a difficult Christmas without any help.
The mistake was that chose the option where we could deliver the gifts to the family in person at their house. Certainly this family lived in a part of town that I thank God I do not have to live in. But one step in their living room, and we were surrounded by a HUGE late-model television, maxed-out stereo, digital cable tv, and other expensive electronics.
It was very frustrating for us. We have had times when money was very tight, and we've never taken or looked for assistance from anyone. We budget our money carefully so that we never have to go in to debt, even when things are tough. We resist the late-model televisions, and we don't have digital cable, tivo, ipods, or XM radio. I don't go to fancy salons, get my nails done, or get massages. (Although the latter sounds really nice!)
When money is tight, especially tight enough that you seek assistance from social service agencies, it's time to cancel the digital cable and consider selling the expensive electronics. Sometimes you have to really sacrifice, and give up all those things that are not requirements for survival.
I know that all of the families who are seeking help at Christmas are not like the family whose house we visited. If I thought that, I wouldn't continue participating in such charities.
I still encourage everyone to do some kind of charity this season, whether you celebrate Christmas or some other holiday. Most of us have far more than we need. And there are some children out there who truly do need our help to have a Merry Christmas.
posted by Susan | 7:16 PM
1 Comments:
It never fails to astound me when people complain of poverty but don't disconnect their cable. I have SEVERAL TIMES suggested to people in dire straits who asked for financial advice that they ditch the cable. "But we can't go without our special channels!" Feh. I don't have cable myself, because I don't want my kids vegging in front of it all day and because it's expensive (mind you, I drop far too much money on books & eating lunch out w/the kids, so I'm not without flaws, but on the other hand, I''m not asking for charity from anyone).
My daughter's school has a great program every year where they put up tags shaped like ornaments which have a child's gender & age & a suggestion (it's either clothes, a book, or a toy; I guess the kids or their parents can pick which). We always take a few and enjoy shopping for them. The recipients are anonymous to us, and we just spend $20-30 on each gift. We like that form of charity (and we don't see the cable, if there is any).
Post a Comment
<< Home