Charles Dickens had it right – this is the time for helping out those in need – but as Americans, we already know that. A few years ago, a Canadian wrote an article enumerating some of the international crises to which Americans had been more than generous. We give – for the catastrophic disasters and the smaller, more personal ones. This blog will be short of pictures, but there will be a number of links to local merchants who are sponsoring collections and reviewing a couple of larger ones that are so consistent and personal.
Let’s start with a young man who spent his summer making earrings to earn a little money. He approached Couture Angel Consignments in Auburn, California to find a sales venue. They agreed and he was all set to earn a little extra money. Then his cousin was diagnosed with bone cancer. Now all profits are dedicated to a special fund to help his cousin. If you would like to help these two young people, contact Couture Angel www.coutureangelconsignments.com.
Kovar’s Satori Academy has been known throughout the Northern California community for their generosity to a number of causes. This year, as last, they are collecting toys for the Sacramento Sheriffs’ Toy Project. The Granite Bay location collected the most toys last year and is working on beating that record this year. You can find more information about Kovar’s Santori Academy at: www.selectmartialarts.com/KovarsLH/selectmovie.aspx. For more information on the Sacramento Sheriff’s Toy Project, check it out at: www.toyproject.org.
Exotic Treasures Jewelry is a very small on-line company run by a mother and son team. They will donate 10% of any sale made from December 6, 2011 through December 31, 2011 to either The Wounded Warrior Project [ www.woundedwarriorproject.org ], or Make A Wish [ www. sacnortheast.wish.org ] . Anyone purchasing from either of their web stores, www.etsy.com/shop/ExoticTreasuresJewel and www.etsy.com/shop/Seedbeadwonderland can decide which one will receive the donation. They have a side bet going between them – the one who gains the most donations gets out of doing dishes for a week.
Western Feed and Pet Supply [ http://westernfeedonline.com ], will give anyone who brings in a toy a 10% discount. The toys will be given to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program, www.toysfortots.org . And while we are on the subject of the annual Marine Corps program, let’s take an extra minute and think of these men and women who have been on the front lines for 10 years. They go from combat to collecting toys for children who will not have a Christmas without the generosity of those who donate toys and Marines who donate their time and talent. Semper Fi.
News10 is collecting coats for kids again this year. This writer worked for quite a few years in neighborhoods where those coats were distributed. Seeing children coming to school coatless on the coldest days of the year is sufficient proof of the need for this program. But you will have to hurry – the drive ends December 9, 2011. For more information, call (916) 441-2345 or look at their web site - http://www.news10.net
Finally there are two year round organizations that consistently help. Divine Savior Church’s St. Vincent de Paul provides food, clothing and monetary assistance all year. http://www.divinesavior.com/ohana/website/index.cfm?p=33032245 The Salvation Army is more than their annual Kettle drives. They provide food, counseling, missing persons assistance, housing - - - well, you get the idea. You can find them outside many stores this time of year and always at this web address: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf
So this was a little long for a blog – and probably filled with what you already know – but it doesn’t hurt to hear all this repeated, just as a reminder. But no matter what, we can take pride in being a giving people – a people who give not just from our surplus, but also from our substance.
