Holiday giving feeds the soul

Everyone knows the biblical mantra: ’Tis more blessed to give than receive. Anyone who has made charitable giving part of their holiday tradition knows just how true those words are.

Here in the Mat-Su Valley, we have wonderful opportunities to be part of projects where neighbors are helping neighbors. Being part of these efforts puts joy into the holidays, even when stress and commercialism threaten to drain it away.

There are so many ways to help that people of all ages and in all sorts of circumstances can lend a hand. It doesn’t have to take money, and it doesn’t have to take time. You don’t need to be grown up and you don’t have to be young. You just have to be willing to give something of yourself.

Like what?

Take the Special Santa Program. It teams with Toys for Tots, local food banks, schools and other agencies to bring happiness and goodwill to children and families at Christmas time in the Mat-Su Valley. In the program, “Santas” donate gift items or fill the wish lists of children in the program. People without time to shop can donate money and let the program’s “elves” do the shopping.

Toys for Tots, a project of the U.S. Marine Corps, collects toys around the Valley at special events and at bins placed in local stores. Beginning at 8 p.m. Dec. 14 and 15, Toys for Tots teams up with Palmer Elks Lodge 1842 for Alaskan Cowboy Christmas with country music and dancing both nights at the lodge. Cover is only $5 with the donation of an unwrapped toy. Call 745-3950.

The local Salvation Army offers its Angel Tree program, which also allows donors to buy gifts for a needy child according to his or her wish list. General donations of new toys and clothing, as well as cash, are also used to meet the needs of families at the holidays. Hand-made hats and mittens are also appreciated from those donors with more time and skill than ready cash. Call 745-7079.

Your local school, church or organization may be collecting toys or food for one of these causes. Be part of the drive and bring joy to your own family and others.

Love to meet people? How about helping out at the Christmas Friendship Dinner? Organizers are looking for help with the meal and meal delivery. Call 373-6477 or 715-2615.

Concerned about our four-footed friends? Donate to a local rescue group or give a shelter or rescue pet a permanent or foster home. Visit www.adoptafriend.net to learn more about how to make this happen.

Thinking globally? Organizations like Heifer Project International and Samaritan’s Purse allow donors to reach out to needy people worldwide. Whether buying a goat for a family in African or helping fund a well-digging project in a community in Asia, even a modest donation will make a major impact. Donations make a great gift for that person who has everything. Find the Web sites at www.heifer.org and www.samaritanspurse.org.

We’ve only scratched the surface of the opportunities. There are many other church-, community- and organization-based ways for you and your family to receive the blessings that will come from giving this holiday season. We’ll continue to print stories and calls to action about more ways to help. All you need to do is choose the means to make your holiday season complete.

Better yet, make this the year to start a new family tradition of giving by volunteering as a family for the Friendship Dinner or shopping together for Special Santa Program children. Setting an example of fellowship can be the greatest give you can give to your children, who will quickly learn it truly is better to give than to receive.