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Don’t Let the “Grinch” Steal Your Holiday Spirit
By Rebecca McCullough
Giving to others is the real Joy of the Season
The spirit of peace and joy lives on in all of us, but sometimes it’s hard to find. It gets buried in the hustle and bustle of the holidays, increasing demands at work, and trying to find time to volunteer in our community. There are too few hours in the day to get everything done and it is easy to get overwhelmed.
The fiscal crisis that is gripping our country reaches every corner of our society, every neighborhood in our community and every person regardless of their age, religion, gender or position on the economic ladder of life. Stocks are crashing, prices for gas and heating oil are fluctuating, food prices are soaring and we all must tighten our belts and make sacrifices to keep expenses within our budgets. This big green “Grinch” of a weakening economy is poised to steal our holiday spirit, waiting for people to give in to the stress of the moment and forget that the Holidays are not just about presents but about spreading joy and peace on earth for all. We must not forget that despite our personal challenges and tribulations, there are others less fortunate than ourselves who need a helping hand.
I am always amazed at the wishes that come across my desk as The Women’s Center prepares for the holidays. Instead of long lists of the most coveted toys from television and the internet, the kids and Moms ask for pajamas, sweaters, and other necessities that so many of us take for granted as essentials, not special gifts. Groceries are high on everyone’s list as well, as families struggle to stretch each dollar to keep food on the table. Sometimes it’s the little things that make a big difference, especially to children.
Last year I adopted a family whose list was short with jeans, pajamas, underwear and one toy. In fact, the number one need was underwear for the six year old boy. Coming from a family where receiving sox and underwear every Christmas was a reality but certainly not tops on my list, I purchased two packages of glow-in-the-dark “Transformer” underwear for him. After Christmas he told his counselor that it was his favorite present.
Recently, I spoke with a woman who had a friend with vivid memories of coming into shelter as a young child and having only plain white underwear available. As an adult, she still remembers the humiliation of being deprived of the bright, frilly, colorful items she would have chosen for herself. These stories reminded me that a small kindness or gift can sometimes have the greatest impact on someone’s life and give them the confidence to face the world each day.
Even the Grinch with a heart “two sizes too small” had his faithful dog, Max, by his side. Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child and adolescent trauma need the community resources, programs and services provided by The Women’s Center to find a pathway to safety and healing. Our job is to shine a light into an otherwise cloudy existence for our clients, who either live in the silence of domestic violence or share the sadness of leaving everything behind to start a new life where they can be safe.
But we can’t do this alone. We need your help to ensure that survivors and secondary victims of violence, abuse and trauma find peace and joy in their lives despite the untold horrors they have endured at the hands of an abuser. Other nonprofit agencies and charities have similar missions and help the weakest among us.
Perhaps you cannot afford to give what you have in the past, but every dollar helps nonprofit organizations and charities make a difference in our community. Remember that even a small donation – as small as a dollar in a Salvation Army kettle – can help hundreds of children and families find a little happiness this Holiday Season.
So take a lesson from the Grinch. In the end, his heart grew “three sizes larger” and he found the true meaning of the season. Helping others brings a special spirit to our holidays as we wish Peace, Joy and a safe and Happy New Year to all.
Rebecca McCullough
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
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