Angel trees, toy drives and bell ringers abound. We want to make a difference this time of year. But there are so many opportunities to be generous. It can be exciting and guilt-provoking at the same time. We can’t do it all. We’re going to have to say “no” to some things. What are the things we’ll choose to say “yes” to?
Honestly, I don’t do a lot of giving to these seasonal projects. I empty my change into the bell ringers bucket a couple times and that’s about it. It’s not that I don’t care. And it’s not that it’s not an option for us financially.
It’s just that John and I want to put our time, energy and money into things that make a difference in people’s lives, a significant difference. Specifically, we want results that are
- positive
- focused
- recognizable and
- long-lasting
At Simply Great Lives, we empower people to create those kinds of results in the lives of other people. We focus our time, money and energy toward that goal.
I’m not a Grinch. I want kids to get Christmas presents. Even more, though, I want a real change that lasts. A present for a child to open on Christmas day is nice, but I can’t say it’d really make a difference in that child’s life overall. We will be doing more for our fellow humanity when we work for long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes.
Wouldn’t it be great if next Christmas:
The angel tree family was able to purchase gifts for their kids because they’d acquired new skills for things like employment and money management?
- The folks who needed food to get through the week had a job that provided enough money to meet their needs?
- The parents who were in prison never went back to prison again?
- The foster system was running out of kids needing fostering because parents and families have gotten stronger?
- Kids in poor Central American communities didn’t need a shoe box filled with little toys and games at Christmas time because their community is resourceful, vibrant and self-sufficient?
- Homeless people didn’t need blankets because they had a warm place to live where they pitch in annd contribute to their community?
There’s no need to stop the special holiday giving. But let’s not just visit an ongoing problem once a year. and leave it there. Come January 1st, let’s consider what else we can do to bring about some real and impressive results. Let’s make a difference in such a way that this year’s problems aren’t still problems next year.
