EDITORIAL: Charitable giving more important now than ever

With the holiday season fast approaching, one can expect to hear the usual calls from charities and non-profit organization commonly associated with this time of the year. These calls for giving might be seasonal, but the work done is often a year round affair. During this past year, organizations of giving have been hit extraordinarily hard by the sagging economic. Groups that survive off donations are finding it more and more difficult to attract donors of all kinds to benefit those in need.

Nobody is to blame for the lack of charitable contributions of late. Given what we’ve been through in the last year or so, folks are being cautious with both their money and their time, stowing each in the safety of their sock drawers rather than risk losing it in a failed venture of any kind. After all, we have seen a lot of failure recently when it comes to asset management.

The thing is, it’s easy to be giving and charitable when times are good, but the real test comes when things aren’t as rosy as they once were.

People tend to forget that being charitable doesn’t necessarily mean opening your wallet or writing a check. Giving cloths to a second hand store or donating canned goods to a local food bank might have even more of an impact than a dollar ever could. Then again, charity can also be about giving time, be it to a person, project or event that focuses on the needs of others. It might not always be the most convenient thing in the world to do, but it is one of the most worthwhile.

We are lucky to have so many well-run charitable organizations in this area and right now they need our help. So volunteer, donate, give of your talents, time and maybe even a few hard earned dollars.
It is an investment that is sure to yield a sizable return.