Remembering the Need Next Door: Serving This Holiday Season

In 21 years, I have never gone without turkey on Thanksgiving (except that one year my brother made catfish), gifts under the Christmas tree, or family with whom I could share these and other holidays.

Growing up, I was always shocked to discover my proximity to and complete unawareness of poverty in my community on those occasions that pulled me out of my sheltered bubble and into the realm of service.

During several years of my childhood, my mother worked as the director of new-business development for the Loudoun County, VA, office of the Salvation Army.

As a kid, I loved helping (I thought I was helping … it was really more a matter of observing) her organize golf tournaments, contact celebrity sponsors, and orchestrate school-supply collections. Her job afforded me countless opportunities to be both hands-on and behind-the-scenes in serving my community, particularly during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.

Preparing and serving Thanksgiving dinner downtown for hundreds of underprivileged residents, arranging Angel Tree* toy-drive stations in malls and office parks across the county, and freezing my phalanges off ringing a red bell next to a red bucket outside of Giant, both humbled and blessed me each year.

My mother always chose little girls my age from the Angel Tree and Operation Christmas Child** listings, and I took insurmountable joy in raiding malls and outlets for the greatest goodies that would bring them a smile on Christmas morning. At that age, I didn’t grasp that those little girls would otherwise go without gifts that year because their families were unable to provide them.

Here in Baltimore, the number of opportunities to serve the community is surpassed only by the need. Annually, the holiday season reigns in the greatest need for volunteers and donations at nearly every service venue, from toy drives to food banks to retirement homes.

Over 120,000 Baltimore residents live below the national poverty level (that’s one in five), and over 3,000 men, women and children are homeless in our city, according to baltimorehealth.org.

This year, how many families in Baltimore will go without a Thanksgiving meal? How many children will not unwrap a bike, Barbie, ball—or anything—on Christmas morning? How many men and women will not even have a roof over their head on New Year’s Eve?

The good news?

You and I can work today to lower these figures right in our own neighborhoods.

The Maryland Food Bank distribution center in Baltimore needs your time and your donations—volunteers are welcome Monday through Friday, every week.

Not interested in packing food? Pack a shoebox. The next time you have a hankering for chicken, stop by Chick-fil-A to pick up an empty Operation Christmas Child shoe box, and return it filled with gifts Nov. 14-21.

The Salvation Army always welcomes bell ringers—if you don’t see one at your local grocery store, volunteer to be one!

Taking a day with family or friends to visit seniors in a retirement home. Or helping fill a Toys for Tots*** collection box will likely do the giver as much good as the receiver.

During this holiday season, take time to remember those in our community who are less fortunate—and act! A simple step of generosity can travel a long way.

*Angel Tree is a nation-wide Christmas Charity program hosted by the Salvation Army. Participants select a specific underprivileged child in their community based
on age, gender, and need to provide them with gifts to unwrap on Christmas.

**Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse, and provides millions of children worldwide with gifts. Participants select children based on gender and age range, and fill a shoe box with toys, clothes, and hygiene products to be shipped to a third-world country.

***The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation provides gifts for millions of needy children across the country each year. Participants can donate unused toys at any of the collection boxes placed in public places.