Some thoughts on holiday charity

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” ~William James

Rushing into the grocery yesterday evening, I passed a bearded young man ringing a bell next to a red Salvation Army kettle. I was in a hurry to grab something I needed to make dinner, so I shouted my usual refrain, “I’ll donate on my way out!” I’m ashamed to admit that I don’t always make good on that promise — but this time I slowed down long enough to stuff a generous donation in the kettle on my way back to the parking lot.

Earlier that day, Doug made our annual holiday donations to charities and causes we want to support, including a local organization that feeds those in need, and another that helps Michigan pet owners pay for emergency veterinary care that they can’t otherwise afford.

It’s easy to dismiss our own actions as inconsequential drops in the bucket of the grand scheme of things. We might wonder: Do our charitable donations, here and there, really make a difference? Yes, they do. If we all give what we can to help others, it adds up generously. ~CL