To start off, the holidays have once again come into play, with loved ones, lights, parties, way too much food, and all the extra’s that come with celebrating this time of year. It is also known as the “season of giving”, where people take time from their busy schedules and their families and begin to look for opportunities to make a difference. Taking ornaments off the local Angel Tree, bringing toys in for the community Toys for Tots event, buying coats and shoes for kids or helping a family in need. Regardless of what’s chosen, the decision to make an investment into someone else’s life during this season makes a difference. So many people are more than thankful for the ability to do so!
Making a Difference: Post-Holiday Dilemma
Unfortunately, as quickly as the focus on making a difference begins, it ends. This is both puzzling and bothersome. Don’t get it wrong, it makes sense why there is such a focus on giving during the holiday season, and it is awesome that it happens, but why should that focus should change as soon as the tree and lights are boxed up for another year? There will still be people in need on December 26. There will still be people going through loss and heartache on New Year’s Day and every day after for that matter. Yet, so many opportunities get overlooked or simply passed by because it is no longer the focus.
Making a Difference Every Day
This week our team of volunteers from our National Home Office served at an organization called Rare Breed here in Springfield, MO. Rare Breed provides immediate access to basic needs and community services for homeless and at-risk youth ages 13-24. They provide them a safe location they can come to for a hot meal, shower, help with clothes, survival items, hygiene items, or just a place to hang out. They have case workers that help them with finding employment, housing, school and daily life functions.
Of the over 600 documented homeless population in the Springfield area, and over 140 of them are teenagers. Young people who are supposed to be in the most exciting time of their lives are forced to learn how to survive on their own. All of them are simply looking for someone to care about them, someone to love them and make a conscious decision to make a difference in their lives. Rare Breed, along with the incredible volunteers that support it, have chosen to make this investment year-round. They believe in these kids and they believe in making a difference.
Do What You Can
Needs persist year-round. The question is, where to make a difference and when. Can everything be fixed? Certainly not. When to respond? You’ll know. Seeing a need simply lets you know there is one. Responding and doing what you can do to help brings life change! And the key that is doing what you can do and not what you think you should do. Keep in mind that doing something will always bring about more change than doing nothing!
Make a Difference with Small Acts
Our Home Office Team was able to buy supper and serve it to the teenagers of Rare Breed. In addition, They also spent some time doing some small odd jobs that needed to be done at the center. Was it a lot? To some probably not. To those kids and our team, it was everything! It helped changed someone’s “today” which I hope changed their tomorrow. And I can promise you we, as an organization, will continue to invest in and support these kids long after the holiday season has ended. Their needs will continue and our response will as well.
Make a Difference, Keep on Going
So, this holiday season, look for opportunities to can make a difference. If there is an organization like Rare Breed in or around your community, consider volunteering. Do what you can to make the holiday season a little brighter for someone. And then, when this season is over, keep giving, keep helping and keep making a difference. Do what you can when you can. Lives will be changed because of what you do, even yours.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Russell Cellular.
