Find the time and cash to give back

Once again, the holiday season is fast approaching.

It's always surprising how this time of year can have such a polarizing effect on people. It brings out the best, and the worst in residents. Often, the holiday season is a time of extreme generosity, and charitable organizations rely on November and December to sustain their operations for the majority of the year. People find it in their hearts to donate to the Salvation Army, local food banks, and other needy organizations that work to improve the lives of people living across the region, country and world.

Locally, fundraising efforts are beginning to sprout. County of Simcoe paramedics, and several businesses, are organizing toy and food drives. Barrie and District Christmas Cheer, and Christmas for Kids fundraising efforts have supplied food and gifts to hundreds of local families over the last few years, and promise to do similar deeds again in the coming weeks.

Local teachers are encouraging their students to support and organize fundraising efforts, and within a few weeks, expect mounds of food boxes to be piled high in school foyers.

And several churches are planning free turkey dinners for poor or lonely residents. Combined, these events will feed hundreds of the town's less fortunate residents. True, this time of year is full of great stories of giving.

At the same time, the holiday season can be stressful and intimidating. Long lines and less than ample parking at stores can lead to confrontation. Local police organizations are also forced to step-up RIDE spot checks and vehicle blitzes, due to a regular increase in impaired driving incidents. It's hard, but residents need to exercise patience, understanding, and compassion during this time of year. Perhaps that lies in volunteering for an organization, rather than simply dropping a few dollars in a jar, hat or cauldron. Take a few hours per week to wrap gifts at a local mall, where proceeds benefit a local charity, shake a bell, or sort toy and food donations. Or even take the selfless act of asking for a charitable donation to be made on your behalf, to a reputable charity, rather than accepting a present from a friend or family member.

Residents who are in a position to volunteer or donate money need to remember just how fortunate they are. Most Canadians are rich, when compared to people living in other parts of the world. Materialism means very little to someone with an empty stomach.

Surely many local residents can give a little more, so that other lives can improve.