give

“Just as a puppy can be more of a challenge than a gift, so too can the holidays.” – John Clayton

Mr. Clark and I just finished the last of the Thanksgiving leftovers, but we are by no means done being thankful. A few Christmases ago, Mr. Clark was out of work and things were grim at our house. There were no gifts. We had food, but it was simple and there were no leftovers. The New Year loomed large, scary and unknown…The simplicity and sadness of that Christmas has stuck with me, even though we are now blessed with bounty again.  

The holidays are such a wonderful time, yet also a time of such challenge for so many. The stark contrast between “have” and “have not” seems particularly clear this time of year. While I am wrapping gifts, others will have no Christmas. While Mr. Clark is busy preparing meal after delicious meal, others don’t have enough food to feed their families. While I set my thermostat at 70 and enjoy cozy fires, others are bone cold with no prospect of warmth.

It’s important to remember that, take a moment to reflect on our many blessings and the Christmas’ that lacked cheer. We can encourage those who are struggling. We can give, we can share and we can do whatever we can to help, especially during this special time of the year.   

Here are a few options:   

- Barrow County Cooperative Benevolence Ministries (BCCBM) has run the local food bank and helped those in need in many other ways for 30 years now. Recently food collected locally (in food drives conducted by non-local organizations) has been diverted out of Barrow County. This has left our food pantry shelves bare, so donations of food and funds are urgently needed. Donations can be taken to the Barrow Food Pantry, 41 E. Candler St. 4:30-5:00 p.m. Mon.-Fri. or left next door at the Clothes Closet Thrift shop, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Pantry director Al Brown will pick up large donations, call 770-868-7269. Funds can be sent to the BCCBM, PO Box 547, Winder, GA 30680. For more information, call Gwen Hill, 770-867-3925. (Donations are tax deductible.)

- Barrow County Holiday Connection is a cooperative effort between Barrow County Family Connection/Communities in Schools and churches and local service organizations. For the past 15 years, it has provided Christmas gifts for kids whose families otherwise would do without. Each year hundreds of families are helped - some are “adopted” by individuals, churches or other groups; the rest are invited to “shop” at the Holiday Connection store which is stocked with toys that are donated or bought with donated funds. Toys can be dropped off at the Barrow County Chamber of Commerce, South State Bank and any Barrow County School. Funds can be sent to FC/CIS of Barrow County, PO Box 278, Winder, GA 30680. For more information, contact Melinda Shealey, melinda.shealy@barrow.k12.ga.us or call the Holiday Connection Hotline, 770-868-4258. The deadline for donations is Dec. 12. .

- Winder Health Care & Rehab Center, 263 E. May St., collects donations each year for a Christmas Store where residents can shop for free for gifts for themselves and loved ones. New items are preferred and items for all ages are accepted. Suggested donations include: house coats, gowns, pajamas, pocketbooks, jewelry, slippers, sweaters, jackets, and sweatpants. The deadline is Dec. 17. For more information or to help with the store, contact Brenda Bramblett, 770-867-2108.

Our furry friends also need help during the holidays. Many pets are surrendered to animal shelters or simply “put out” this time of year. The volunteer group at Barrow County Animal Control, in partnership with Leftover Pets (the local non-profit spay/neuter clinic) helps animals who end up at the shelter in many different ways. Their efforts are not funded by the county and donations are tax deductible. For more information or to donate, go to www.BarrowPets.org or www.LeftoverPets.org and click on Donations. Funds to help shelter animals (marked “BCAC vaccines”) or for Leftover Pets can also be sent to Leftover Pets, 610 Barrow Park Drive, Winder, GA 30680.  

Also, don’t forget those who are struggling in silence – people who are used to taking care of themselves and giving to others who are now out of work or having trouble making ends meet, dealing with illness or death, or hit by some calamity. Often it doesn’t even occur to them to ask for help or a handout. Imagine what a difference a $20, $50 or $100, or a gift card can make in bringing them hope and helping them through tough times.

None of us know what tomorrow will bring. At any time, this glorious excess I am currently enjoying can be snatched by an unforeseen act of God, a death, an illness, or some harsh twist of fate…Pastor Liz on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion speaks of “giving what you do not have” which is certitude. “Give certainty to others as a gift,” she says. What a precious thought.

We can’t give the gift of true certitude, but we can offer a few moments of certitude, over and over again. Here, take this toy, this money, this gift card or donation…Take this ham or turkey or box of food…Give something for the animals…Offer up a blanket or a coat…Here are a few moments of certitude and hope, for you, from me…

Luciano de Crescenzo said, "We are each of us angels with only one wing and we can only fly by embracing one another." What a lovely thought, especially for the holiday season. There’s no better time than now to reach out and fly a little closer to each other.