What is the true meaning of Christmas? Without going into religious implications, I'm just going to focus on the main idea of Christ's ministry - service and love. I gave a talk to my AMAZING Young Women at church on Sunday and challenged them to perform one act of service for someone they didn't know during this break. It's lovely to give service to a friend or a neighbor but it's even more wonderful to give service to someone who can never repay you - to those who need it most. I personally give frequently to various organizations and I just want to testify that it really is a great way to honor the Christmas spirit, not just at Christmastime, but throughout the year. I'm just going to highlight the organizations I've personally made a commitment to donate to once a month or so and hope that it might inspire somebody to give to an organization as well.
This year, my parents asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I have stuff. I don't really need stuff. Nor could I really think of anything that I wanted. Sure there are plenty of things that I WANT. I would love for airline travel to be cheaper, I would love to be fluent in 3 languages, but those are things that I either don't have control of or need to work on personally! So instead, I showed my parents a brochure that had come in the mail; Heifer International. I asked for a goat! So my parents bought a goat in my name for my birthday. Heifer International is an amazing organization dedicated to the betterment of individuals and their communities throughout the world. http://www.heifer.org/
My family has been involved in the military my entire life. We have benefited from the USO and try to be involved in the USO as much as we can be. "The USO mission is to provide morale, welfare and recreation-type services to uniformed military Personnel." Thousands of people are helped by the USO throughout the world in various ways. There's not much more I can say about it, but check out the website! If anything, sign up for the newsletter (I think there's a link to it from the website) and you'll be sent letters about information on how to send a electronic letter to a soldier thanking him or her for their service. Money is great too, obviously, but morale boosters are just as, if not more, important! uso.org
The Wounded Warrior Project!! There aren't enough good things I can say about this organization. Oh my. The WWP provides support to the injured service members across the country. Oftentimes, soldiers flown in from the battlefields to various hospitals in the US arrive with nothing but their uniform. They are greeted by a volunteer from WWP and given a backpack with WWP clothes and essential toilet articles and some fun things to help pass the time during their hospital stay. The Wounded Warrior Project is not only there to provide support during a soldier's medical care, but allows for opportunities for the soldiers to return to a "normal" lifestyle with a job, if necessary, and an incredible support system across the country. Check 'em out!! woundedwarriorproject.org
I absolutely adore The Special Olympics. There is NOTHING more fulfilling than seeing world class athletes with intellectual disabilities compete and freaking rock at it. Volunteering my time and donating my money to this organization is by far the best money and time I believe I've ever spent. The amount of dedication and strong work ethic in this community is astounding and I am SO looking forward to doing more work with them in the coming years. http://www.specialolympics.org/
See above, but for world class athletes with physical disabilities! http://www.paralympic.org/index.html
So those are just the ones that I associate with on a regular basis; there are millions of other worthy organizations who would be happy for anything you are able to give! ECHO, in the DC area, is always looking for a variety of different things. Homeless shelters and food kitchens will never turn away volunteers, nor will animal shelters (I'm assuming). Google some options and see what you can do to give back! I know there are groups that collect dresses to give to young ladies who can't afford to buy them, but still want to have that magical experience at Homecoming or Prom. You can give items to Salvation Army or Goodwill or find an organization that collects, like Purple Heart or the Children's Center, both of whom my family donates to as well.
Giving service is one way that we can express our gratitude for everything we have. It might seem like a nuisance, but imagine how you would feel if you were in their shoes; most of us will never even begin to understand how difficult some people have it. Do your part! I'm sorry if this sounded like a lecture, but I promised my "girls" at church that I would participate in the challenge I gave them as well - and what better way than to help spread the information to others who might be willing to give back as well! Pay it forward :-)
Regardless, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season. For my non-Christian friends out there, I apologize for the repeated use of Christmas, but that's my jam. :-) Enjoy this time with family and friends and enjoy the time you have off from school and work. Celebrate! Be safe <3 <3 <3
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