Giving back

It's already started. Holiday decorations were in Target before Halloween had even arrived! Thanksgiving is just weeks from today and before you know it, Christmas will be here as well. In the midst of trying to plan a wedding, I'm trying not to forget about the big picture. I have a good paying job, I'm with Dan every day, I have my health (for the most part, knock on wood).

While leaving Target the other day (shocker), I saw a girl standing on the corner wearing Penn State garb and carrying a bucket and a sign looking for donations for kids with cancer. Having had that scare a few years ago and losing my grandmother shortly thereafter to cancer as well, it is something that touches me. Normally I'm not a big fan of giving handouts on the street but I knew this girl was legit as I'd seen several other Penn State students along the way doing the same thing at almost every intersection. I opened my wallet to see what I had in there. I'm sure most people usually just dump some change into these types of buckets, as I have been guilty of this myself. I had just been to the ATM and the crisp twenties hadn't been touched yet. I pulled one out and called the girl over just as the light turned green. As she ran over, I could see all that was in the bucket was change. I dropped the twenty in and it wasn't until I was pulling away that her face lit up from what I had donated. I know $20 probably isn't a lot to many but I knew I wouldn't be hurting by giving it some greater cause.

While the economy is definitely not in the best shape ever, the holidays may be hitting some harder than others. Glamour magazine came out with this great list last year called, 31 Ways to Give Back. It gives a list of different organizations you can donate to, to help those who really need it. And in such insignificant amounts too! Take your weekly Starbucks budget and give to someone else! I posted the link below for those of you who are interested. They also published it in their magazine out on stands now, although not online yet. Here's to the beginning of a great holiday season and God Bless!

Posted by Mandy at 9:31 AM