You know the words to an old favorite Christmas carol. The first verse reads:
It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer"
It's the most wonderful time of the year
It's the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It's the hap- happiest season of all
I have always sang this song at Christmastime and for the most part is has been true. I had a warm house, family and friends, money to buy presents (or cards to charge them!), and a job. There was no reason to "not be of good cheer" and it surely is "the hap-happiest season of all.
However, working at The Factory Youth Center has opened my eyes and my heart to the despair of this time of year. For many, the words of the carol could read:
With the kids bellies hungry
And no one to help you to "Be of good cheer"
It's the most wonderful difficult time of the year
It's the lone-loneliest season of all
With no holiday presents and gay happy parents
And there is no friends to call
It's the lone-loneliest season of all
Let me explain. Through our partnership at the Factory we have been aware of so many families who have no income, no way to pay for heat, food, toys, gifts, bills, etc. There are families who have no resources, no friends, and no support system. Just this past week I met two families who are going to be evicted from their condemned apartment. One is a family of 5 kids and one is a a woman, her daughter and boyfriend and their 2 week old baby. How will it be a wonderful time for them? They are looking at homelessness. This apartment was such a relief for the one family because before this they lived in a car. Another family is battling cancer, disabilities, and other issues. They have nothing to look forward to this Christmas. Still, another family is dealing with the loss of a baby, and emotional and financial pain.
And the stories go on and on and on....
The good news is that we are working with these families to help them. Through our supporters we have provided 90 presents to teens in need and all the presents for 4 needy families. In addition we are committed to walking beside the two families that will be homeless by the end of this week. One generous business owner has already agreed to put the family with the baby up in a motel for a month. We will continue to help them find jobs and walk this part of the journey with them. The other family with 5 kids still needs an apartment by the end of this week.
While the needs seem overwhelming, it is a great time for you and me to take a look at what is most important and to give to those who have less than us. If you want to help someone this Christmas, here are some ways you can do so:
- provide a $25 gift item to someone who will not get Christmas presents (If you need a name of someone let me know)
- provide a gas card or grocery card for a needy family
- offer to pay for a months heating bill or utility bill
- have a family over for Christmas dinner.
If you are reading this then most likely you have the resources to make the holidays the most wonderful time of the year. Will you make a decision to give to someone this year so that they too can wake up Christmas morning with joy? Will you provide for them so they have have hope and good will?
This is the season to be jolly. Let's work together to bring a smile to someone who is in a seemingly hopeless situation. Maybe their despondent letter to Santa will arrive in your mailbox today and you will act in a manner that will give them help and hope.
Chuck Holt
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