Do Gooders

Doing good isn't about money. Attending these gala dos and dropping a few hundred bucks you won't miss, while glugging champagne and wearing a tux and designer garb is not all that it takes. First, the latter kinds of folk have a keen eye on the income tax deductions available for such "generosity". Second they get their jollies often via the Press. I guess what galls me is that while they are busily out-donating each other, it's mostly done for publicity and getting one's gym-toned body into the visual social sections of the papers. Apologies to those who do donate, however, even if in this way, but let's not forget about the most important donors. They are the people who really do sacrifice, in giving. They do without, to give. They don't receive tax breaks for their gifts, true generosity, but their generosity goes beyond that of a cheque book. They find in their cupboards what they can do without to give to others who need it more. The people I speak of, are those who serve at charity dinners, who lean over food bank counters or bring jackets and blankets to those who live on the streets. They don't receive anything more than a grateful grin from those who reach out and say "thank you". These are the men and women and yes, children, who give of their time and meager funds and caring smiles, without any idea of recognition or the need for it. Included in this kind of anonymous generosity, also, are the very rich who don't use their huge donations to satisfy their places in the golden society or to impress their images. They give what they have taken from their successes and do it because they know that there are terrible inequalities in our beautiful world. But everyone can be a do-gooder. It doesn't take a lot. Dropping a tin of nutritious food or a carton of pasta or grains into a food donation box is one way. Adding a couple of bucks to your grocery haul when you go to the super market, helps a lot. And what's the harm in adding a coin or two to the grimy hat you might see in front of another human being sitting or lying out on the sidewalk. As someone said to me, sure it may seem to go to drugs or drink, but eventually that person needs to eat, too. We are all one kind, and for whatever reason we see ourselves in some kind of sad condition, we the ones whose lives are not the same, can give or use a smile or a word or two of outreach toward our fellow creatures. Christmas, yes Christmas, just like Hanukkah or Ramadan or any other special day dedicated to ones spiritual beliefs,  is coming up and however you plan to celebrate it, don't forget that it's all about giving and loving each other. Everyone. 'Tis the season.