It’s not even Halloween yet, and we’re already being bombarded with Christmas commercials on TV, Christmas decorations in stores and a new slate of Christmas movies on Hallmark (again — starting before Halloween!).
As exhausting and annoying as it can be to have Christmas take over before the leaves have even changed, it is a good reminder that the season of giving is approaching.
We use “season of giving” in its most general sense: That time of year when you’re a little more generous (materially and monetarily), and various organizations ask for help making the holiday season special for those who could use some extra kindness.
The past week, we highlight two such organizations that are requesting donations.
The Women’s Energy Network of West Virginia recently partnered with HOPE, Inc. to launch the Purses for Power program to coincide with Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This initiative fills purses and bags with toiletries, cosmetics and small clothing and comfort items and for women and children entering shelters.
Purses for Power is asking for the following: purses (new or gently used), hygiene items (shampoos, lotion, toothpaste, soap), cosmetics (make-up, perfume, face cream, nail polish), gift cards (gas, food, phone), gloves, journals, socks, hats, etc. Think of items you’d want to have if you had to leave many, if not most, of your possessions behind.
If you’d like to donate, items can be dropped off EnviroScience, 129 Green Bag Road in Morgantown. You can also contact WEN WV at westvirginia@womensenergynetwork.org.
We also ran a story about the Holiday Toy Drive last week. Created by Esha Sharma, the Holiday Toy Drive specifically collects gifts for Mon County kids in the DHHR’s custody, such as in foster homes or kinship placements. The “kids” range from 0-18, so don’t forget about the teenagers!
To paraphrase Sharma: As adults, we understand the true meaning of Christmas, but for kids, so much of the day revolves around presents, and this is a simple way to bring them joy.
There are boxes in the Monongalia County Justice Center where people can drop off new toys, and donations will be accepted from now until Dec. 10.
These are just two examples, and there will be many more as the season of giving ramps up.
The last year-and-a-half has been hard on everyone — some more so than others, and in different ways. As we gear up to another holiday season, we’d like to encourage our readers to think about ways they can give back to the community.
Many organizations and nonprofits will ask for monetary donations or specific items, especially as Christmas grows near. But some will ask for donations of time and presence. A food pantry or soup kitchen may need volunteers to prepare or serve meals. A group giving out presents may need help wrapping gifts. An organization may need someone willing to deliver items directly to people’s homes, maybe in less-than-perfect weather.
Whatever cause or charity you support, please give as generously as you can, whether that be in money or in time. Because even on the darkest days, kindness is a light that cannot be extinguished.
