Area boy scouts will be out collecting food this weekend to bolster The Open Link's food pantry. Area police departments are holding their Annual Holiday Toy Drive. Their collections will be distributed to children that will be spending time in the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Donations will also be distributed to The Open Link for children of the Upper Perkiomen Valley in need.
Soon, the area police officers will be holding their annual "Shop with a Cop" making the Christmas season just a little brighter for children who could use a smile.
This is just a sampling of some of the good things happening this time of year and you can be a part of it by making a simple donation to help them help others.
You don't have to be a member of the "who can write the biggest check club" to be appreciated by those you may not know. There is a special feeling that comes from helping someone – even if you can't afford to write a big check.
You're reward doesn't have to come with your name engraved on a plaque or a dinner held in the honor of large donors. Save that money and give it the people who need it. The smile from a child picking up a toy you donated or a family, down on their luck, able to have a nourishing meal because of your generosity should be reward enough.
We drive through our towns during the warmer months and find volunteer firefighters standing in the streets collecting donations during their "boot drives." They don't care if you drop a dollar bill or a sawbuck into the boot – everybody gets a thank you.
You give that donation knowing that it goes to helping keep everybody in the community safe – not just you. Another unselfish act that you should be proud of.
From postal employees to local service organizations, there are people helping people.
No matter what you can afford and how much you give, just the act of giving will make someone smile. Somebody's day will be a little better because you cared more about them - than what was in it for you.
There's only so much money in the pot and everyone can only afford to give what they can (and sometimes a little more).
You can gather your gift into one pot for the chance of emblazing you name for future generations to see how much you gave. Or, you can spread your donation out over several outlets to help many people.
Society may shun you because they can't read your name among the high-dollar donors, but the people you have helped with your small change and acts of kindness will forever be grateful.
Don't let your inability to write a big check keep you from helping others.