A Time to Give

November 19, 2009

Editor of the Reformer:

Soon, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving, traditionally a day to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general.

The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday, the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season. And, the Monday after Thanksgiving is Cyber Monday, which unofficially marks the beginning of the Christmas online shopping season.

A few years ago, however, there was a national movement to have the day after Thanksgiving proclaimed "Giving Day," a day to encourage assistance to those in need.

While spending money is good for our economy, donating money or time is good for our society.

The last six weeks of the year provide an occasion to remind us of all that we have to be grateful for, as well as serving to remind us to continue to be aware of the needs of others who may be struggling and in need of assistance.

Helping others may be done in many ways -- donations of funds, food or individual help; giving of our time to individuals or groups who struggle to meet necessary daily needs; and volunteering service to nonprofit and community organizations to assist their efforts -- are among the ways in which we can give to others.

As Thanksgiving approaches, take some time to think about what is important to you and how you can give. You should give to a cause that means something to you -- an issue that your passion connects to, a community need that tugs at your heartstrings, and an organization you know that does good work.

Around our Thanksgiving table, we can talk with friends and family about the things we care about, the causes we support and what we want for the future. By starting small -- gathering with relatives to volunteer or combining charitable gifts with friends at work -- each of us can make a difference.

We have much to be grateful for and, with the downturn in the economy, we also know that giving is more important than ever this year. Help is needed more when times are harder. The best reason to give in a down economy is because that’s when it does the most good.

The same slump that makes it harder for some to keep their charitable giving makes it harder for others to put food on the table and keep hope in their lives. Hard times strain families at every seam. Charitable giving helps keep them from coming apart.

http://www.reformer.com/letters/ci_13820576