Keeping families in need in mind this holiday season

Hello, everybody, and welcome back to another Cecil’s World in Print. With Christmas less than two weeks away, this is the time of the year when I really start thinking about families who will have very little or nothing this Christmas.

So many people are out of work and facing foreclosure and barely have enough money to feed their families. With our country in the worst shape it has been in since the Great Depression, crime is on the increase.

The sad part about this is that some of these people committing these crimes are only doing it to get money to feed their families. I really think, before it gets any better, things are going to get worse.
This is the time we have to reach out and help our fellow man. Some of these working-class families have never asked for help and it is hard for them to take charity. They are used to working for everything they get, but without jobs, it is hard to provide for your family.

More and more families are losing their homes and having to move in with their parents. This may cause a hardship for some parents, but parents will always do whatever it takes to make sure their kids have what they need.

My grandparents raised me and we did not have a lot of money, but I remember Christmas was a special time. I didn’t get a lot for Christmas, but the few toys I did received put a big smile on my face. I did not need a lot because there was so much love in my home and that made up for all the things I did not get for Christmas.

Today, I do feel we spoil our kids with too much. Maybe we need to revisit the old days when we got only one or two toys and some fruit.

I know that the real meaning of Christmas will survive, no matter what condition our country is in, and families will come together to help others.

There are a lot of charities you can give to that provide a helping hand for those who are down on their luck.

The Salvation Army, Toys for Tots and Operation Christmas Child are just a few charitable organizations that can help those families in need. If you have some extra cash this year, make a donation to your favorite charity, but make sure you check it out first.

The sad part about some so-called charities is they do not help those who really need it.

I know some of you are wondering what you can do if you do not want to give to a charity. I am sure there is someone you know who is having some financial problems you could help. If they are a proud family, don’t ask if you can help because they may tell you everything is all right when it is not.

Things you can do: buy a gift card from a grocery store, a gift card from a toy store if they have kids, and a gasoline card would be great also. These are just a few things you can do. You could even put the gift cards in an envelope and stick it in their mailbox and they will never have to know you helped.

There are so many things I am thankful for this holiday season. I am thankful that I have good health, family, friends and a free country to live and worship in.

Remember to help someone who is less fortunate than you are. It is always better to give than to receive. See you next week, right here in the Morning News and on the tube.

— Cecil Chandler is a veteran reporter at WBTW News13. His column appears Mondays in the Morning News.