With the
holidays looming, it feels like whenever I open my mailbox, answer the phone or
click on an email somebody is requesting money to feed, clothe, shelter,
provide transportation, pay their electric bill or a sundry of other requests
for help. Those that pull even harder on my heartstrings are the ones that
affect children.
Just the
other day, my mother counted 20 pieces of mail, many of which she already
writes a check to monthly. These are national charities that have money for
marketing and mixed in the advertisements are notes of thanksgiving and can we
possibly get you to give just $5 more.
What really
makes me want to hand over my hard-earned money is the personal stories. I give
to St. Jude because a friend from high school is a spokeswoman and advocate for
her 12-year-old daughter that is now in remission from bone cancer. I’ve given
to Sloan Kettering because that’s where my father spent the last days of his
life. I give to the American Red Cross because my college roommate works for
the Heart Group and walks for awareness. I have so many more stories I’d love
to share but that will tip my word count for this column.
Of course,
the need is great in our own community too. I give time and financially through
the many charities that the Fredericksburg Area Service League, Catholic
Charities and my Church support.
Children
make the most impactful difference in the world, and I will always encourage
and support their giving spirit. My friend’s young son was upset that there
were children in his class that didn’t have snacks. Their stomachs were
growling, and he gave his own snack to them. His mom put a note on Facebook and
got an overwhelming response to help give snacks to the teacher to provide
snacks for these students. My tween made a blessing bag in his art class at
co-op and wanted to give it to a woman he always saw on his way to his
grandma’s house. My teen supports charities using money he has set aside for charitable
giving. It’s a beautiful testament to humanity to see young people thinking of
others and wanting to give of themselves.
Unfortunately,
I’ve been scammed in the past by a so-called friend that supposedly needed to
pay her medical insurance, so now I will only give money as a gift and tell the
recipient to pay it forward when they can. It was a hard lesson for my 19-year-old
self to learn as it was my book money for the semester, but it taught me
invaluable life lessons.
If you are
in a financially stable place and a friend or family member needs money to
cover an expense, you should give your money freely, no strings attached as a
gift not a loan. Giving money to friends and family as a gift also avoids the
stress of worrying about repayment. Being financially indebted to friends or
family often leads to damaged relationships. Remember, only give where you can.
