Monday October 6th, 2008
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How are you planning to make a difference this holiday season?
Posted by Chris on November 17, 2007 - 6:59pm.
The holiday seasons are a great time for giving, but all too often we think of ourselves. We have dreams of getting that new "Plasma TV", or that next greatest gadget that everyone "must have."
But this season like most, I feel in much more of a mood of giving, I have no "wants", in fact the only thing I do want, is to be able to pass on my good fortune to others.
This year I'll be spending my Thanksgiving at a soup kitchen. I'll be handing out thanksgiving meals to others that may not be as fortunate as I, and this Christmas my family once again has decided to exchange "donations" with one another, "gifts" because we truly feel that is the best gift we can give.
One of my favorite charities is Heifer International, their goal is to end hunger worldwide. I love the fact that merely a few dollars can really bring a meningful change to another family on the other side of the world.
This year I would really love it for our community share their ideas, their charities, (and their time :-)) with each other and their own local communities. Please use this forum to tell us, how you are planning on making a difference this year.
And one more note...Happy Holidays everyone!
and thanks for bringing up the fact that during the holidays we all may celebrate differently.
I want to bring special attention and awareness to the fact we all may celebrate differently, we may celebrate Christmas, or Hanukkah, or Kwanza or perhaps not celebrate at all.
Everyone please do share how you plan to celebrate and keep these things in mind when you post your responses.
The over arching message I think we all should deliver this season, is that while we all may celebrate differently, no matter how we celebrate there are others that are less fortunate, and we should think of them and take action to help, if we can.
I believe the Holiday Season spirit should be an everyday thing.
I count my blessings: I had my share of hardships from losing close people my (mum, step mum, grandpa, grandma...) to accidents and street experiences that nearly did challenge my tenacity and faith. BUT, like the movie scrooged, I KNOW that to be good, attracts good and if you do not IT WILL catch up with you (I have SEEN IT) and I count my blessings. After all, there are some tragedies happening to some every day and, some countries do not allow you to be free or some situations seem very bleak to others in some places that ares till harsh. So, I do not complain.
This Christmas (also I do cool things for others every week), I am sending a HUGE card to some special people thanking them for inspiring me to be better in myself AND I shall help at least 1 charity too. I also tell my daughters about Jesus (I do not speak religion here but that christmas is about that too: an example of to touch others lives in an amazing good way whenever you can) and teach them too to appreciate what they have as some kids in the world have nothing.
Au revoir
Pascal Gillon BASc
Founder
infogatherer.com
I've seen mountains of wrapping paper fill up hundreds of garbage bins and it's disgusting. I love the suggestions for alternative gift-wrapping on this site! One note I'd like to make:
Don't forget to make sure your "recyclyed" paper prodcuts are FSC-Certified! It's the only 3rd party (not linked to consumers or producers) certification out there.