I second the recommendation of a recent editorial for residents
to help their hometown’s economy by shopping with local businesses.
I would like to add one more suggestion: Help support our local
nonprofits, too. These organizations are always in need of an extra
helping of generosity and many, like W.E.R.C, are sustained solely
by donations.
In addition to shopping locally, help local nonprofits this holiday season
Dear Editor,
I second the recommendation of a recent editorial for residents to help their hometown’s economy by shopping with local businesses. I would like to add one more suggestion: Help support our local nonprofits, too. These organizations are always in need of an extra helping of generosity and many, like W.E.R.C, are sustained solely by donations.
We live in an area with so many worthwhile charities that a person can easily find one that is deserving of support. This holiday season, why not consider a gift donation to a favorite local charity. It will make a heart warming, deeply appreciated gift and will give the donor a feeling of goodwill (and a tax deduction, too).
A word of warning: Beware of fly-by-night “charities.” Check out an organization before sending off a check. If you’re not familiar with the organization, ask for the phone number and address. Call to see if they’re reputable or have them send you more information. The organization should have a 501(c)(3) tax-exemption number. It’s your hard-earned money – don’t hesitate to ask questions regarding where that money goes. Last year I was approached by some people in front of a store who were asking for donations to buy toys for needy children. They were very forward and very slick. I asked them for information about their group and all they could tell me was that they wanted to “give toys to children.”
I donate to a well-known organization that distributes toys locally and I know that children actually receive these toys because I participate in the gift distribution.
Like shopping locally, giving to a local and reputable organization enhances the community and produces immediate and visible results.
ue Howell, Executive Director, Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center
A story of Saint Nick helps us remember our families, those we love
Dear Editor,
Today is a day of anticipation; a season when we prepare ourselves for Santa, with the enthusiasm of a child. Without ever stopping to think, there’s more to Santa Claus than we’ve consciously deciphered.
He’s more than “jolly old Saint Nick,” nursery folklore, and more than a fat man in a red suit. Santa Claus is actually a metaphor for the word Grace, which is undeserved favor. It upholds conventional charm yet ascribes itself to a “heavenly nature” of a King.
This visual rendition of virtue meriting praise is what we call the “law of kindness” which is ethically and meritoriously universal by nature and is a socially acceptable standard of law whereby all laws … like a coat rack, should hang their hats.
Now Nicholas, being an ordinary man, was no fool. He didn’t decide on a costume of red and white wool with white furry cuffs and black leather slickers before filling his bags with superficial lustrous jewelry from Zales, or the extravagance of a Mercedes from a hot dealership. No, I’d rather surmise he filled his bags with gifts of thoughtfulness which leads men further along, upwards toward priestly beneficence. Nicholas embraced the “love of life” wholeheartedly like the proverbial Mr. Scrooge, who after squandering his former life on foolery, selfishness and greed experiences a catharsis. Nicholas was a saint whose joy overflowed with generosity and love from an emancipated heart.
It’s possible as the folklore depicts that Saint Nicholas used an ingenious way of gaining entrance into unsuspecting residents’ homes by using the chimney to drop his presents.
Of course, this appears to be mysterious and amazing to an unsuspecting child of 3 who believes everything. But his act mystifies even the most saintly pure in heart as a metaphor of God’s glorious gift and Son Jesus Christ as a supernatural phenomena.
Granted, Saint Nicholas never suspected these acts of kindness would go down in history as they have. Nor did he suspect that his story would be embellished upon with nine reindeer and sleigh. However, as writers and visionaries, how else does a Saint get around if he’s a spirit and comes out of heaven, without reading his Bible?
As the story progresses, Saint Nicholas becomes holy or was he holy all along? – with a nickname of Santa, which means holy in Spanish. Unfortunately, Nicholas now returns to the North Pole instead of heaven and poor Saint Nicholas asks God, “Why me Lord?”
However, the author and originator of the red and white suit made a good choice of color.
Now I wish that all men will remember
… the lamb slain in December
That red was the color of His blood shed for me,
And Saint Nick demonstrates Christ’s love so free.
Then white covers sin like a fresh blanket of snow.
And Passover was the time when God made it so.
At Christmas we celebrate this special gift from above,
By remembering our families and those we love!
Janice Tovar-Becker, Morgan Hill
