Merry Christmas

General

If you celebrate Christmas, then “Merry Christmas!” to you.

Even if you do not celebrate Christmas but do want to participate in the spirit of giving, then here are three suggestions.

1. Give to First Book.

This is an organization dedicated to increasing literacy by giving new, age-appropriate books to youngsters who otherwise would not have any.

Several publishing houses support this effort, and each gift of $2.50 from you or me buys one new book for a child.

Can you imagine not being able to read — perhaps the most crucial skill today?

2. Give to CanCare.

This is an organization that fights cancer with hope by improving the quality of life for cancer patients and their families.

Several groups and events, including the all-volunteer-led Houston Marathon, support this effort of matching survivors of more than fifty different kinds of cancer to patients. The survivors provide one-on-one emotional support over the phone, through email, and in person where possible.

Can you imagine fighting cancer alone?

3. Give to Be An Angel Fund.

This is an organization that serves the overwhelming needs of multiply handicapped and profoundly deaf students.

Be An Angel Fund provides adaptive equipment and certain services to individuals and institutions that require a supplement to other sources of funding. Beyond the equipment and services provided by the Fund, thousands of volunteers donate money and time to buy, wrap, and deliver teacher-recommended gifts to these students each Christmas.

Can you imagine what these youngsters must need just to attend school?