With the crazy political news of the day, I'm hoping that this giving diary doesn't get buried in the rants!! :)
I wrote a rather lengthy comment in response to this diary and someone replied that I should make the response a diary in itself, so here is my story of local giving and how we can each help someone right in our own neighborhood. I know that we are all giving people, so maybe we can start a movement. I'm up for name suggestions, so post 'em here :)
I am a former office manager for a law firm. Prior to that, I had my own web design business and worked as a help desk technician. About three years or so back, I made the tough (very) decision to take a sabbatical from the day-to-day 9-to-5 to provide my newly diagnosed son with the therapy that my insurance wouldn't pay for. Problem for me is that I have been looking for a steady job for the past year and have been unable to find one, so we are living at (probably below) the poverty line now and can't financially do any of the giving that our family has previously done. I DO volunteer on a regular basis, because it keeps me busy and it helps me to know that I am still contributing to the greater good.
My house is the house where (even now), all of the neighborhood children gather for lunch and/or dinner. I make meals that stretch - chili and the like, because I'm not just feeding myself and my two younger children. Quite often I am aware that some of the children may not be fed properly at home (by properly, I mean fed at all, not just nutritious meals). Having gotten to a very low point before I swallowed my pride and actually applied for food stamps last year, I am also now personally aware of what hunger feels like. Let me tell you, being able to go to the grocery store and actually buy enough food to make decent meals when you've gone without and found extremely creative ways to make a meal is one of the best feelings.
There is a senior in our neighborhood who goes around in the dead of winter collecting cans. I know that her family doesn't visit or assist her, so we often make a plate and take it down to her. "We made a LOT of food, and I know how hard it is to cook for one."
At the community center where I volunteer, there is an "Adopt-a-Family" program where I adopted a family each year and got gifts for everyone, moms and dads included. The irony of THAT is that the first year I myself was unable to give, I was a recipient of the same program. :) Talk about paying it forward!
When I WAS working (I am a single mom), I wanted my children to learn how good it feels to give without needing acknowledgment or praise for it. We live in the city now, but many families everywhere are struggling, so this is not just an "urban" giving act - it's something that can be done no matter where you live.
No matter where WE'VE lived, whether in the suburbs, in a rural community, or in the city, there has always been that 'one' family ... maybe the parents were neglectful with their children, and the kids went around dirty and with torn clothes ... OR the parent(s) worked really hard but were still unable to provide many basics for their children.
At this time of year especially, even the most upbeat parents feel depressed when they cannot provide at least a few decent gifts for their children. I am fortunate this year, because I have won a couple of prizes and gift cards that will ensure that my children will have a good Christmas.
What we did at this time of year (and what we will begin doing again as soon as I find a decent job) would be to pick one or two families where we knew the children would have a stark Christmas morning. My children knew which family(ies) needed help. We would pick out toys and clothes, coats, and socks for each of the children. My children would wrap and tag the gifts with each child's name. I would purchase the trimmings for a nice Christmas dinner.
On Christmas morning, my children would get up extra early, put all of the gifts into big plastic bags and walk them down to the house(s) of the chosen family/ies (that's not right, but I can't figure out how to make it singular/plural correctly). While I watched from the street or sidewalk, they would, oh so quietly, place the bags on the porch in an area hidden from the street and then just as quietly make their way back home to open their own presents. While they were opening their presents, and throughout the day, their talk almost never centered on themselves. Their excitement was about the reaction of "their" family when they found their Christmas bounty.
My girls would excitedly tell me when they came in from playing or from school, "(Lisa)* or (Joseph)* or (Cindy)* was so excited about Christmas! They can't stop talking about someone leaving lots of gifts and nice clothes on their porch for them!"
*names made up
My girls never gave up the secret, but the two oldest (who are now on their own) have grown up to be caring and loving individuals who give for the pleasure of it.
The reason I write about this is simply this: For those who have not totally been pushed into poverty by the Bush economics of the past few years, look around you. Look in your very own neighborhood. Talk to your children and find out which of the children in your very own neighborhood might be able to have their spirits lifted by doing something like this. I can guarantee that there's at least one family that could use the help. And if it's anonymous, then pride can't get in the way of them accepting it. It will lift a burden off the mom/dad's back and it will certainly bring joy to both their household and yours.
If every single Kossack with the means to do so 'adopted' a local family for Christmas, imagine how much joy we could spread to very deserving children!