Date: Fri 01-Dec-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: CURT

Quick Words:

edink-Christmas-volunteers

Full Text:

The Best Gifts Of The Season

In this season of giving, there always seems to be an undercurrent of dread -

that there won't be enough time, or money, or inspired beneficence to fulfill

the wishes of all our loved ones. But in the end, Christmas remains fulfilling

for most families even if the gifts aren't perfect because someone close has

given thought and consideration to the happiness and well being of the ones

they love. This, after all, is the real need that is satisfied. The gifts

themselves, as often as not, are just the tinsel on our family trees. They can

be pretty and appreciated, but they are far removed from the roots of our

enduring happiness. They add much to the extravagance of the season, but not a

lot to the substance of it.

Every year, however, there is a growing number of people who look beyond their

families for opportunities to light up this darkest time of year. These are

the volunteers who annually find ways to bring thought and consideration to

the happiness of complete strangers. They give their time and talents at this

busy time of year to an array of programs created to assist those with very

real and specific needs. They are discovering that best gifts of the season

are to be found not under their own trees, but in the happiness of those whose

well being is not always assured.

If you would like to balance the extravagance of the season with a little more

substance, consider volunteering. This week we have published a list of

organizations who could use volunteers in the coming weeks on page C-1. This

year, try fulfilling the wishes of someone you don't even know.