4 days left of Thanksgiving....Help Part 2

As I was driving to work yesterday, a radio spot talked about donating to Goodwill and all of the help that they provide.  I had posted about being thankful for helpers, and I kept it very close and personal yesterday, and when I heard that spot I realized I had left out a whole other element of helpers.  So I'd like to spend today thinking about organizational helpers - how they help and how we can help.

As some of you know, my youngest daughter was born legally blind.  There is a wonderful group of people here in St. Louis called The Delta Gamma Center for Children with Visual Impairments.  This organization provides vision services and therapy for very young children with low vision.  This is a non-profit charitable group that offers these services at no charge to the families.  They are funded by donations.  One of their biggest fund raisers is their Shining Light Christmas Tree Lot.  If you are a real tree kind of person in the St. Louis area - and not necessarily a cutter down of your real tree - please consider stopping by and checking out their trees.  You will be helping out a great group of folks who quietly help many families in the local area, giving hope and practical help to very little ones who have to figure out this world from a low-vision perspective.

 

Another great organization that could use help is the International Justice Mission.  These teams work around the world to free people from slavery and sexual exploitation, especially children.  This is an underbelly of life that few want to look at, but it is real, and it takes courage and tenacity and fresh ideas to give people hope and a vision for a new way to do life, free from oppression.

 

The fact of the matter is, there are lots of places that can use help - whether you keep it local or think big and internationally.  I have only mentioned two, because I don't want to sound preachy, and these are two groups with whom I've had some personal interaction.  Besides that I know that this is a very busy season with baking and shopping and baking and wrapping and baking and visiting and baking and a little bit more baking - planning love and fun for others.  And that is all wonderful stuff, full of hope and celebrations.  At the same time, I am one who believes we shouldn't let the holidays rule us by making us overworked and over stressed and just plain crazy.  I really like the tenants and ideas expressed by this organization, The Advent Conspiracy.  They encourage relational giving and giving in ways that help others, such as Living Water or helping church leaders and pastors by providing quality message tools for Christmas services. 

 

I love helping - in all its various forms.  I cringe to ask for help just like the next person, but I know in my heart of hearts and when I'm thinking clearly that I need help - just like the next person.  I need to receive help and give help.  All the time.  So I'm thankful for help and helpers - from the little to the big.

 

Happy Thanksgiving again everyone!  Happy pie making and pulling out your mother's dressing recipe and watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade like some of us have done since we were little kids.  I love Thanksgiving!!!