Bell Ringers

Many people are spending less this holiday season due to economy worries. Last week at Bible Study our opening speaker (Karen) laid a challenge before us to remember that "scaling back" this holiday season does not have to and probably should not include cutting down on charitable giving. I know you are saying, "Whoa Sharon, don't blog a lecture; the economy is tough enough." Don't stop reading yet, I promise, No Lectures (just food for thought)!

So anyway, the speaker read off about 50 things that people could do this holiday season to serve and help others. I was moved by the suggestions she came up with. Some of the things were traditional and others were absolutely unique (at least to me). I am writing this post to remind you as I have been reminded, that it is vital to help others with both our checkbooks and our service.

Each of us can give to a charity in some way; we can buy a goat for a family in Africa, buy a toy for Toys for Tots, make a Shoe Box, or sponsor a child among many other things. But on a whole different plain, we can serve each other and the community around us too:

1. invite a family over for a meal

2. take food to a shut-in

3. rake leaves or shovel snow for someone who can't

4. play with the kids of a single parent to give them a break

5. work in a soup kitchen

6. deliver meals for a local organization

7. bake cookies for a widow or widower

8. sing carols at a nursing home

9. volunteer at the Humane Society

10. visit a site to find a volunteer opportunity that specifically suits you (ex: http://www.volunteermatch.org/ )

The challenge our family is embracing has 2 parts:

a. to do something over the holidays with BOTH our checkbook and our service

b. to find a way to make service more frequent

In addition to our choice for charity giving this holiday season, one of the things suggested at Bible Study that struck me as "do-able" is to stop every time we pass a Salvation Army Bell Ringer and empty our spare change into the bucket. I have never really given to the Bell Ringers so this is a new (and easy) way to show the kids that a little can go a long way and that no gift is too small. It really is a lot of fun to give and I want the kids to develop a habit of giving. What a way to do it...by giving a little almost every day.

May your holiday season be blessed as you bless others!Comment on the blog to let us know what other ideas you have for serving your community.