The Real Spirit of Christmas

We all remember Christmases of tearing into the piles of presents left by family and friends. The stockings hung by the fireplace full of treats and gifts from Santa Claus. The joy of ripping apart the colourful gift wrapping, feeling the paper under your fingers, shivering with excitement as the surprise is revealed. Then tossing it aside and going on to the next one. We felt happy and loved and maybe at times a little ungrateful.

Imagine you were one of the millions of children every year who don't get the opportunity to enjoy that feeling which most of us take for granted.

My family was never rich, but I always had something - often a few somethings - to open Christmas morning. And even to this day, I still love getting presents. Who doesn't?

But we aren't all that fortunate and we don't want to forget what the true spirit of Christmas is all about.

There are many organizations around the city which accept donations of gifts, food, etc. help out the less fortunate during the holidays. And they are all in need.

The Magic of Christmas - needs volunteers, donations of gifts or money to help make a families Christmas a little better this year.

Samaritan's Purse - get a shoebox and fill it with goodies for a child.

Toy Mountain - take an unwrapped toy or gift to any of the hundreds of dropoff locations around the city.

Calgary Food Bank - needs gifts of unperishable food items and holiday trimmings or a monetary donation.

Alexandra Centre Society Christmas Hamper Program - drop off an unperishable food item or gift, or make a monetary donation.

The Mustard Seed - This isn't so much about holiday giving as it is about helping the homeless out on the Calgary streets. Now that the temperatures are dropping to the near -20's, they could use your help too. Old blankets, jackets, gloves, mitts, toiletries. All will help someone be a little more comfortable this winter.

These are only a few of organizations trying to help those less fortunate. There are more. Check it out and I encourage you to make a difference in someone's life this year, in whatever way you deem worthy.