Holiday giving should be year-round

Months before the day of Halloween, there is the changing of the colors which signal a season of giving.  Churches and another organizations partner with commercial businesses to initiate traditional toy and food drives.  I seem to gain more weight when the youth get involved with the cookie ministry we have every year.  Turkey and related foods are put together in baskets or bags for those who deserve a traditional Thanksgiving meal although the families can’t afford them.  Donations to soup kitchens need to be increased as more people seem to be drawn to such scheduled events, especially as the economy continues to recover.

Our church is no exception. We have several Holiday giving events.  We work with social agencies to get names of deserving families in need, and many of them are in the area served by our church.  Some are church members.  We have a special Shoe Box Ministry where a family adopts a child, but the family doesn’t really know the name of the person on purpose.

Coordinators of the program know where the boxes are going, however the likes and requests of that person getting the box are known.  If items can fit into a shoebox, and under $50 is spent, then the person has a great gift package.  The shoe boxes are wrapped separately from the lids, so the content can be inspected before delivery.  Our family usually has four shoe boxes, one completed by each of the members of our family.

One of my favorite things to do is to visit the nursing homes in the area, but I am disguised as Santa Claus, and I have plenty of elves around me to help deliver donated presents for either a man or a woman.   I still believe in the spirit of Santa Claus, and they do too.

All these events and traditions seem to fade way after December is gone and the calendars for the New Year are posted on the wall.  The need does not disappear, just because Christmas Day has happened.  Many organizations depend on the “regular” season of giving to build-up their funds for the next year because of these falling-off trend.

However, the need for funds and the numbers of volunteers to provide services continues throughout the year.  Our church has several year-round ministries because we recognize this need.  Many of these ministries are dedicated to and provided by the youth of our church.   By setting an example to others, they learn by experience, as Jesus Christ taught us, that giving to the least is giving to the most.

Peace be you with always,

Rev. Paul Abernathy

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” -2 Peter 1:2

Contact Paul Abernathy at paulabernathy@gmail.com.

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