Between Black Friday and Christmas newspaper ads and circulars, as well as the pressure exerted via television about shopping, buying and spending money, we cannot escape the Season of Giving.
Children are particularly vulnerable to this promotion and their expectation is heightened as the days progress. This is too painful for some families because of their economic situation, perhaps being unemployed.
If there is anything that we all can do this Christmas, it is to provide for these children so they don’t lose faith in humanity and mask a little of the sadness that may be surrounding these families.
There are many organizations collecting toys to be donated to worthy agencies and the next weeks are vital to them. In the City of Lawrence, for example, there are groups like Arlington Community Trabajando; Tower Hill Neighborhood Association; Lawrence/Methuen Community Coalition; Greater Lawrence Community Action Council; Salvation Army; the YMCA and others, which will welcome toy donations to be distributed at their holiday parties these coming weeks.
The Merrimack Valley YMCA has hundreds of children, from babies to teenagers coming from low-income homes and their system is some sort of adoption. Volunteers are given the name of a child with personal information, clothing size and a choice of one toy. It is up to the adult to decide how much they are willing to spend on each child or how many to adopt.
It has been said that your own fulfillment for having done something noble is your best reward. Try it, and you will feel satisfied!
