A Giveaway!

The Giving Tree has been placed in my office's lobby, and the wish list of the families we have adopted for the holidays has been sent out.  Which means that for me, 'tis the season to be crying.

 

Each year my heart aches for the children who have items like coats, pajamas, or food on their Christmas wish lists.  I go through Target with my buggy, loading it up with diapers and tiny little jammies and shoes, fighting back the tears because I am completely overwhelmed by the amount of need just in my little community.  And for good measure, I throw in a completely whimiscal and unnecessary toy or two because everyone deserves something completely whimsical and unnecessary on Christmas. 

Even the grown-up kids!

Anyway, this post is more about emotional wellness than physical. I hope you can find a way to give of your time, talents, and if you have them, your resources to help make the holidays emotionally healthier for your community than it may be otherwise.  We all know the toll that stress can take on our health all year round, and the holidays have a way of mixing stress, guilt, and pressure to live beyond our financial (and caloric) means into a recipe for disaster.  Even just a few of us can help alleviate that stress through the simplest of healthy actions:

• Donate blood and literally give the gift of health. Find your local blood center here.
• Contribute to a local charitable organization that provides health services to needy folks, like this one in New Jersey. There may be one in your community. 
• Give to families whose children are dealing with life-threatening illnesses. You can find a link for how to locate a Children's Miracle Network hospital in your area here.

It's easy to give during the holidays because we are in a giving mood, but need exists for families around us all year long.  Don't stop on December 24 - please, give. Give and give and give and give! 

And then give some more.

It's good for your heart. :)