 |
Los Angeles Times Valley Edition | Glendale News-Press | 2005 December 17
In the seasonal spirit of giving
BY PATRICK AZADIAN
As the pace at many workplaces comes to a grinding halt during the holiday season, the hustle and bustle of gift-shopping for friends, family, and co-workers gathers exceptional steam. Yet, the frenzy and the rigid routine of the holidays can sometimes hinder our view of the much-talked-about meaning of Christmas.
I realize any talk of the "true meaning of Christmas" is often so repeated that many can find it trite, meaningless and cliché, but if we can't reflect on the spirit now, then when?
I don't claim to know what Christmas is all about, but I do know it has something to do with giving, which goes beyond our immediate circle of family and friends. I think it's about a giving of a different sort, a type of giving that transcends the quick rush of unwrapping one of the many shiny and high-tech toys often disregarded within a matter of minutes. It is probably about the type of a giving that can make a positive difference in someone else's life. It can bear other people's burdens, as well as ease their loads.
And finally, it maybe the type of giving the authors of the Persian proverb had in mind when they wrote "Do good and throw it in the sea."
Many people and organizations are actively involved in this type of giving; I've made a short list of my favorites for this year.
First stop is the YWCA's Adopt-A-Family program.
This December marks the fourth year the Glendale YWCA has provided disadvantaged families with a happy and healthy holiday season. Last year, the YWCA provided more than 50 families and nearly 200 children with gifts, food and clothing; helping them have a great holiday celebration and a sense of belonging to a generous community.
In the long term, the YWCA strives to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership and power in order to attain a vision for peace, justice, freedom and dignity. Whether it's helping an abuse victim improve her situation, or provide child care, job training for nontraditional careers or advocating for justice, YWCA helps empower women, children and families.
This holiday season the YWCA aims to bring hope to 75 families and 200 children. To contribute to the Christmas Family Wish List you can contact the Women's Service Center at YWCA (818) 240-0888.
Second stop: Glendale Community Foundation, which was founded to improve the quality of life for the people of the greater Glendale area. The mission of the foundation is to provide financial support to a wide range of charitable and educational programs in our immediate geographic area.
Financial support is achieved by administering gifts and grants according to donor wishes and by using the income from unrestricted grants as an endowed fund for charitable distribution for social enhancement, cultural enlightenment and education. Financial support is also provided for student loans and scholarships.
In addition, the foundation contributes to many local charities throughout the year. They range from the arts to health, from children to seniors and from education to social services. Some of the organization that have benefited from it in recent years are Club Jam, an after school program which keeps a tab on kids' report cards to ensure its tutoring is really working; the Foothill Autism Society, which helps parents of children with autism; Legal Advocates for Permanent Parenting, which prepares people to become foster parents; Habitat for Humanity, which rewards needy families with new homes; as well as the Compassionate Friends, which provides support to parents grieving the loss of a child.
The foundation is in a constant need for more participation, resources and compassion. To find out how you can help call (818) 241-8040.
My third and final destination for Christmas giving is Amnesty International, a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights.
Amnesty International's vision is of a world where every person can enjoy human rights.
It seeks to undertake action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression.
Amnesty International has a varied network of supporters around the world. At the latest count, there were more than 1.8 million members, supporters and subscribers in every region of the world.
Although they come from many different backgrounds and religious beliefs, they are united by a determination to work for a world where everyone enjoys human rights.
For making a donation or becoming a volunteer you can contact the Amnesty International at (310) 815-0450.
In the spirit of Christmas "Much heartache could be averted in the body of Christ if, like Neil, we could learn to "mourn with those who mourn" (Romans 12:15) - not necessarily shed tears, but unashamedly embrace the pain of others, and let it be obvious that "if one part [of Christ's body] suffers, every part suffers with it (1 Corinthians 12:26)."
Copyright 2005 Glendale News Press
|
