People In Need

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Throughout the year but especially around the holidays I think often of those less fortunate, people who struggle from day to day just to survive and if their very lucky manage to have a roof over their heads. This shouldn't be done just around the holidays but if it means your all in the frame of mind to do it then by all means let that holiday spirit flow....would you consider giving a little something to those in need?

I'm not talking just cash here folks, many of us are have enough trouble making it ourselves but what about clothing, canned goods or just your time volunteering at a local shelter? Surely someone has a nice sweater that they no longer wear for one reason or another that someone less fortunate would love or that old blanket that you've since replaced with a new one?

Lastnight we had a house fire while I was at work, a single woman with four small children lost her home and two of her children are currently in ICU with injuries from the fire. This particular woman was placed in this home by services available here in our city, she was a victim of domestic abuse and is struggling to get back on her feet. This along with tons of other reasons and people is why I'm posting now. Maybe, just maybe we could take a few minutes out of our day to help someone else less fortunate?

[fireworksinjuly]

My employees and I have been doing a friendly competition at work to get non-perishable foods for the local food bank. Were doing 2 halves. One for Thanksgiving which we have turned in and we have started the second half for chrismas. Our first half we raised over 400 items.

Our local Rotary group has donated over 50 winter coats so far also.

[bigdoglover]

We do that at the school I work at. The kids are asked to bring in clothes that no longer fit, or that they don't wear anymore. Plus the canned goods. It's a great thing, and even one can of food would do wonders for someone in need!

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Awesome guys! Its so nice to hear that there are still people out there that care enough to give.

[flyndog]

My whole town is always taking care of each other. There is often a bake sale or burrito sale at the post office or a dance to benefit somebody that needs medical care or help with school or - well, anything. Recently the town found out that a citizen was out of town getting cancer treatment and somebody opened a bank account for him and started fund raising. The poor guy had to write a letter to the editor thanking everyone and asking them to please leave him alone. He didn't need the money! I love this town!
Lots of people do things quietly, too. For instance, my husband bought a mechanic at the airport a pair of new legs...His old prosthetics were hurting him.

[zookeeper]

Each year our family chooses a less fortunate family that we know and provide Christmas, anonomously. We make sure everyone has presents and also include treats and everything needed for Christmas dinner. This year we couldn't think of a family who needed us so we have decided to put together a similar box for the youth emergency shelter in our city. Some years it's been a sacrifice - we may end up with only one present each instead of two or three - but it's always been worth it. The kids can't wait for the day in Nov when we do our choosing. It gives us all a great feeling!

[sweetiewheatie]

I think that you all have some wonderful ideas and I hope that you keep doing all that you can to help the less fortunate.

[TribalRats]

We go through the house every year in Nov. and take all of the good stuff to the local womens shelter. The rest goes on freecycle.
We also organize the canned food drive at my daughters school, we do one for 2 weeks in early Nov (for TG) and one in early Dec (Christmas).
The only other thing we do is donate the Turkey or Ham (varies ever year) we receive from my husbands boss to the local food bank.
We don't have much but we do have enough, maybe one year we won't. It's nice to know that if that were to happen there are people out there who care.

[RIo&Nickysmommy]

We are supplying a dog shelter and a cat shelter with pet supplies this year. We always donate to families in need. Hey you never know it could be me or any of us one day who needs help. Plus, isnt that what the holiday season really is about.
Wizard of Oz: Back where I come from there are men who do nothing all day but good deeds. They are called phila... er, phila... er, yes, er, Good Deed Doers.
Rio&Nickysmommy

[linnie]

Australia is very good at pulling together when there is a crisis.
Whenever I read of these positive things it helps restore faith in humans.

I am so sorry for the people who just lost everything sonja.

[annie_so_pink]

Some of you might remember me posting about my parents adopting a little girl from China...But if not, My parents are in the process to adopt a little girl from China, China has a lot of orphans because of the one-child policy...mostly everyone wants a boy so a lot of them abandon the girls...so that is the reason for China's overcrowded orphanages with girls....but anyways, my family has always wanted to adopt a little girl from China, but we never felt that it was the right time, but now we are doing it!!!! I am so excited!!!!! But Anyways, it costs $20,000 to adopt a little girl form China, and on a passtor's salary we don't have that kind of money....but we have told people that we need help to do this and now from only a few weeks, people have given almost $1,000 to help with our adoption! And my older sister is at college and her friends at her dorm have given almost $200! It is amazing that people are stepping up and helping us so that we can bring hope to at least one of these little girls!

[mrsgrubby]

Thanks for sharing everyone. About 12 years ago this week, my families house burned down. I was a junior in highschool and we lost everything we owned. My parents were divorsed and my sister and I lived with my mom. We had grown up in the house and it was a total loss.

So many wonderful people came forward with gifts, money, clothes, and things like toothbrushes, hair brushes, makeup, blankets, and nice letters to help us. We needed everything and the insurance took at least a month to sort out. Some folks even offered to allow us to come have Christmas with them. We were so thankful for all the help.

Since then, my family always tries to help people at the holidays, one year I bought a single mom a washing machine, another year I bought a teenage boy some clothes, another year I bought food for a family, another year I paid a single mom's car insurance for her.

I will never forget all those wonderful strangers who helped my family in our worst time of need. I don't know what we would have done without them.