The Season of Giving...

This year I decided it was time to start a tradition with my children that I was introduced to as a child. Giving our time, energy, love and goods during the holiday season. I have fond memories of volunteering while growing up doing a variety of things to help others in need, which spilled over into adulthood in both volunteer and work efforts. I truly appreciate the exposure I have had to other cultures, socioeconomic levels, home environments and overall needs of those in the communities I have lived. I have seen poverty beyond belief, wealth that seems unattainable and everything in betweeen while doing home health. I have witnessed true need and appreciation at soup kitchens, homeless shelters and battered women homes during times of volunteering. These experiences were and still are a true gift and ones I will never forget. Perhaps that is why I continue to seek them out...

So, during this week while school is out, but it is not yet Christmas I chose four charities in Greenville to give of ourselves. Our first experience was yesterday, Meals on Wheels. All three children plus me arrived at Meals on Wheels to pick up food and our route. The boys carried the cooler, counted out drinks and meals, and were great sports while driving our route to deliver meals to eleven individuals. We talked about how we were providing them food, that they lived very close to us and needed assistance while our pantry is full, and wished each recipient a Merry Christmas. By the end, I think the boys gathered what our goal was and each person enjoyed a warm meal and smiles from us. It was incredibly rewarding! The rest of our week will entail a Toys of Tots drop off, food and toiletry drop off at Harvest Hope Food Bank, and a gift for the Salvation Army Angel Tree.

I am in hopes my children will appreciate these experience as we will do them each year during the holidays, and hopefully throughout the year as times allows. This was my first Meals on Wheels experience and I plan to get a weekly route since I enjoyed it so much! The magic of Christmas is certainly for children, but I would love for mine to not center it around making their lists and checking them twice. I want them to enjoy Santa, opening gifts and being with family, but I also hope they seek out those in need and offer their time and energy as gifts to those in our community who are less fortunate. I hope you are enjoying this season as much as we are!