There are some that complain about the generosity that people display during the holiday season.
It’s not so much because of the generosity itself but because people shouldn’t just be waiting for late-November and December to give, it should be year-round.
While it is a valid argument that shouldn’t stop people from giving during the holiday season, giving at this time of the year is better than giving at no time of the year.
There are numerous worthwhile programs going on throughout the city.
There is the Coats for Kids campaign, which takes slightly-used or new coats and mitts and boots and gives them to children in need – coats are collected all year in this case.
There is also the Community Christmas Hamper program, which collects boxes full of food items and toys and gifts and provides them to the needy for Christmas.
A challenge has also been issued to businesses in the area to bring in the biggest Christmas hamper.
There are also trees set up at various businesses around town with angel ornaments that have the gender and age of a child.
People can take the ornaments and bring an unwrapped gift for the child.
Various businesses around town are also accepting food donations as well.
Things might be tough for people financially but if it’s possible to give it is well worth it.
Loren Eiseley’s The Star Thrower is a story that deals with a man who observes another throwing starfish into the sea while walking along the beach.
The man asks the other why he is doing it and the other man responds be saying that the sun is up and the tide is going out and if the starfish don’t find their way back into the ocean, they’ll die.
Based on the area and the number of starfish, the first wonders if the second can possibly make a difference.
The second man picks another up and throws it into the sea and tells the first man that it made a difference for that particular starfish.
So it is for giving during the holiday season.
Showing generosity all year is ideal of course but giving during the holiday season can also go a long way as well.