The Season of Giving

It's official. Holiday season is upon us. Before the Halloween clearance section was cleared, ornaments and turkeys festooned Target while candy canes and pumpkin pies cropped up in grocery stores. As stores prepare for the biggest shopping day of the year, I have to stop and think...

For three years in my mid-20's I organized a local toy drive. We reached over 200 children in situations as diverse as their stories. When asked what they wanted for Christmas, their responses were heartbreakingly simple - socks, pencils, notebooks, coats. These gifts were received with the same joy other children might express over a new Xbox or iPod.

I look at my family, warm and safe with more food than we really need - as evident by our expanding waistlines. I look at my children snug in their beds, their tummies full, their minds empty of all worries except perhaps giant alien robots. (Don't ask.) I can't help but think about all those children in our world, in our country, in our state, in our county, in our town who go to bed hungry each night. I think of the children and adults who worry about each meal and who can't seem to get their feet under them. And I wonder, what can I do to help?

I don't have Oprah's millions or connections. We have tight months just like so many other families. But one thing I've learned is that it doesn't take a lot.

So this Thanksgiving and Christmas, while you're grocery shopping, use a few coupons to buy canned or non-perishable food and drop them in the bin by your grocery store door or at your local police or fire station.

While you're going through winter clothes, donate the things that don't fit and are in good condition to a women's shelter. Think of all the storage space you'll clear!

If you have a little extra cash, pluck one of those names off the Christmas tree in Wal-Mart or your local church. Drop a few dollars in a red bucket. Fill a shoebox.

If you're baking so many pies that you're buttons are threatening to burst, offer a few up to a homeless shelter.

And if you have nothing to give, give of yourself. Volunteer to wrap Christmas presents, serve dinner or box food.

After all, this is the season of joy. The season of love. The season of giving.

Now why is it I have Seasons of Love stuck in my head?