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Washington is a great city filled with even better people.
It is small enough where residents have a sense of strong community ties, but big enough to always be looking toward the future and a cycle of constant improvement.
It is at this time of year that for some reason people are in the so-called “giving mood.”
The Salvation Army kettle ringers are out in full force, the supplies at local food pantries are dwindling and there always seems to be some kind of coat and winter clothing drive happening at a church or local organization.
While the money and clothing donated to needy causes are certainly welcomed, good deeds this holiday season should go beyond a simple act of dropping a dollar in a bucket or a coat in a bin.
While many organizations are dependent on donations, spending time volunteering can be even more influential on the organization, its people and, more importantly, its patrons.
It is certainly the easy thing to do to just donate a dollar, item of clothing or canned food, but the holidays are about bringing people together — they are about family. We in Washington pride ourselves on being one big family, so why should it be any different when we have residents in need?
Whether or not we want to admit it, there are a lot of Washingtonians who do not have anybody to care for them.
However, recognizing the need and actually doing something about it are two different things. It is easy to see, read or hear it and want to do something, but how often are we lulled into complacency by just doing what’s easy?
Sure there are always going to be people who need our help, but that does not mean we only say, “I wish there were something else I could do.” Truthfully, there is always something more you can do even if you don’t have food, clothing or money to give.
It is about creating a conversation.
Donating should never be, “I’m so sorry for your situation, here is (fill in the blank),” as you go back to your life to probably never think about that person or family again.
Talk to them, ask them what they are struggling with most, create a conversation and get to know them rather than assuming all they need is money or food; maybe they just need someone to talk to — a friend.
Washington is a great city filled with even better people.
It is small enough where residents have a sense of strong community ties, but big enough to always be looking toward the future and a cycle of constant improvement.
It is at this time of year that for some reason people are in the so-called “giving mood.”
The Salvation Army kettle ringers are out in full force, the supplies at local food pantries are dwindling and there always seems to be some kind of coat and winter clothing drive happening at a church or local organization.
While the money and clothing donated to needy causes are certainly welcomed, good deeds this holiday season should go beyond a simple act of dropping a dollar in a bucket or a coat in a bin.
While many organizations are dependent on donations, spending time volunteering can be even more influential on the organization, its people and, more importantly, its patrons.
It is certainly the easy thing to do to just donate a dollar, item of clothing or canned food, but the holidays are about bringing people together — they are about family. We in Washington pride ourselves on being one big family, so why should it be any different when we have residents in need?
Whether or not we want to admit it, there are a lot of Washingtonians who do not have anybody to care for them.
However, recognizing the need and actually doing something about it are two different things. It is easy to see, read or hear it and want to do something, but how often are we lulled into complacency by just doing what’s easy?
Sure there are always going to be people who need our help, but that does not mean we only say, “I wish there were something else I could do.” Truthfully, there is always something more you can do even if you don’t have food, clothing or money to give.
It is about creating a conversation.
Donating should never be, “I’m so sorry for your situation, here is (fill in the blank),” as you go back to your life to probably never think about that person or family again.
Talk to them, ask them what they are struggling with most, create a conversation and get to know them rather than assuming all they need is money or food; maybe they just need someone to talk to — a friend.
One such example is unfolding before our eyes in Washington.
I wrote an article detailing the struggles of Washingtonian Tim Day in the Nov. 2 edition of the Times-Reporter. Day, who just turned 45, has spent the last five years of his life in excruciating pain following a fall from his roof in 2006 that led to him needing several knee and back surgeries.
It has left him in so much debt that he couldn’t marry his fiance, Stephanie, of more than five years because he is afraid her credit score will suffer because of him. They are in the process of being evicted from their home because they cannot pay their bills.
After speaking with Day in his living room a few days before his 45th birthday and just a few weeks before he was going to be homeless, I felt like I needed to do more.
While I was not blessed with freakish athletic skills that could have made me millions of dollars to help him — don’t get me wrong I’m not bad on the soccer pitch and I could probably take anyone down on the disc golf course ... OK, that’s not true, don’t challenge me, I’m not that great — I do, however, feel incredibly blessed with the gift and passion to tell peoples’ stories.
Sure there are the city council meeting stories where as a Bears fan I’d much rather watch footage of the Green Bay Packers win Super Bowl XLV on a loop than write the typically boring story — sorry Mayor Manier, nothing against you or the council members — but for the most part, I love what I do.
People let me into their most insecure moments and share that with the rest of the world. That’s a lot of pressure and with that comes great responsibility.
Just because I’m not blessed financially does not mean that I can’t do anything to help Day and that goes for everyone else out there as well; not everything is about money, it’s about telling other people in town about a certain family or organization in need.
In a city like Washington, I have no doubt that eventually the right person or persons after hearing the story will come to help.
Since the story ran in the paper, I received a check in the mail in Day’s name from a subscriber from all the way in Aurora, Colo., and Day told me friends who he was too embarrassed to ask for help, after hearing his story, have stepped up to assist as well.
Despite mobility problems and both of his parents battling terminal cancer, Day has decided the best thing for him is to move back to his hometown of Springfield. While it is unlikely anyone can take care of all of his medical bills, Day said even the small gestures help.
“I’m not looking for a hand out,” he said. “I’m looking for a hand up.”
Washington Rotary Club members donated money to help pay for the moving expenses and a few members even donated their time Saturday morning to load up the moving truck themselves, conversing with Day and creating a bond by putting a face to a story.
This holiday season should be like any other in terms of donating to the many worthwhile causes in Washington and around the world, but remember that nothing is more valuable than creating a conversation — something that will last longer than any food or clothing item ever will.
Those of us who are healthy and able, should be doing every thing we can to help those who can’t help themselves.
Let us also be sure to carry this kind of giving spirit throughout the rest of the year and make it much more than just about a giving season, but instead a giving lifestyle.
