I got an SOS phone call from a close friend who works for CPS (Children Protective Services) yesterday. She told me that in her personal case load there are numerous children who not only do not have toys, but don't even have clothes. Lack of clothing is a very real need I often saw. At the at-risk high school where I taught, I've bought many a warm coat.
Let me share a personal story with you. When I was teaching at-risk teens, it quickly became apparent that the only 'Christmas' a significant percentage of my students would experience would be whatever I could provide inside my classroom and at my school. I was extremely fortunate to have an entire congregation of United Methodists who supported me to the hilt. Whenever they discovered any way they could make the lives of my students better, they always stepped up to the plate. They didn't just donate school supplies, but time, money and food.
That's why to this day I actively support charitable activities that involve food and/or children. Now, the food banks tend to rake in the donations from Thanksgiving to the New Year. The Salvation Army runs 'Angel Trees' in most large shopping areas across the country. Churches prepare food, clothes, and toys for needy families at this time of the year. All those charitable activities don't begin to cover the need.
When I decide to support something monetarily, I'm very diligent about checking out EXACTLY where my donation winds up. I'm not interested in advertising, or administrative costs which dilute the amount of my donation. I'm not interested in sending money overseas when there's so much need here at home. Therefore, I'm personally vouching for my friend, Kathy Conklin, who earned a social services degree long after she was an adult because she wanted to make a difference. She's working as a social worker in a tough environment, with lots of children. She knows which of her children's Christmas will be bleak.
If you are like Drake and I, we seek out worthy causes for charitable giving at this time of the year. If you want to help Kathy provide a Christmas for children, buy an Amazon gift card electronically and send it to her email address: katmom31@yahoo.com. She'll do the shopping. There's no amount too small (or too large).
For those of you who have been reading my blog for a long time, you know I don't ask my readers for money casually, or for causes I can't personally ascertain to be worthwhile. Let your conscience be your guide.
Merry Christmas.
