Reveling in the art of giving time

Mark Caron

Publisher

This month stores will swell with people wanting to find and purchase the perfect gift to loved ones or friends. Gifts that hope to prove your love, admiration or appreciation for the people who make the greatest impact in our daily lives. Many of us will make our yearly donations either by contributing food or purchasing toys for needy children who still realize that Christmas is magic. The joy of the season is not the actual "gifts" made or purchased but the act of giving a symbol of a little piece of ourselves to someone else. This sharing or giving is what brings a greater depth of joy and spirit to the holidays.

Our local Share the Spirit is getting ready for the season. The organization is an umbrella of community services including the Personal Care Bag project for need families and collecting school supplies for elementary and middle school children.

For six years Share the Spirit has been responsible for distributing toys collected through Toys for Tots. The organization is one of 414 nationwide. They worked with the Marine Toys for Tots foundation and distributed 12.9 million toys last year to 5.7 million needy children. It was the most successful campaign of 2003. This year Share the Spirit will work with the local Marine Hellroaring Contingent to distribute toys to needy children in Lake County.

During this holiday season, as we shop for perfect gifts we should remember the most valuable gift anyone can give is their time. Time is something we have a shortage of in this society which is probably why it's a priceless gift. Many of us have time to purchase gifts, but little time to do what is truly important in other people's lives. But this holiday season we can change all that. We can burrow deep within ourselves and find that one hour, or 30 minutes and give it to a worthy cause.

Share the Spirit is recruiting volunteers who can donate the gift of their time to assist in wrapping items and distribution. If you are part of an organization or youth group Toni Young or Barbara Morin would be happy to schedule a time for you or your group to lend a hand. Give Toni a call at 883-1676 or call Barbara at 887-2788.

Make this holiday season the most exciting one you've ever had. Revel in the art of giving your time either to a worthy cause, like Share the Spirit, or a lonely friend or relative and you'll end up giving the greatest gift to yourself.