You might be thinking, "It's September, is the chatter about the holiday season really going to start already?" Well, it's almost October, which means Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations will soon be on clearance before the holidays even pass, and in a few weeks we'll be hearing tunes of jolly old Saint Nicholas.
Every year when the big holiday season is amongst us, we tend to get bombarded. Bombarded with holiday music, holiday decorations, holiday food. Bombarded with to-do lists and events. Bombarded with requests to help anyone and everyone who has some sort of need. We can feel exhausted and quickly lose our holiday cheer. As much as we'd all love to help everyone and anyone, the reality is we just can't.
This year, while you're thinking about what organizations you should send a donation to and how many children you should buy gifts for from the church angel tree, keep our homeland heroes in mind as well.
"How?" "What should I do?" "What can I do?" Don't worry, I've done the research for you...
Let's Say Thanks - While we're all gorging ourselves with turkey and pumpkin pie, let's say thanks to those serving overseas. A card may not seem like that much, but words of thanks, encouragement, and appreciation can go a long way.
Marines Toys for Tots - A simple, yet loving concept. Picking up an extra toy at the store can make a little boy or girl smile this Christmas and it can help remove guilt and worry from military parents.
Adopt A Military Family for Christmas - You can become Santa Claus himself this Christmas by adopting a lower-enlisted ranked military family. It's not only an amazing gift to them, it's an amazing gift to your own heart.
For ways to assist that are not specific to any holiday (but can still be donated to/assisted with during the holidays)...
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society - "The mission of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is to provide, in partnership with the Navy and Marine Corps, financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the Naval Services of the United States, eligible family members, and survivors when in need; and to receive and manage funds to administer these programs."
VA Medical Center - There are VA medical hospitals around the country that assist wounded soldiers daily. A soldier in need, needs a volunteer/friend indeed.
For more ways to donate and support our troops, you can visit Support Our Troops.
When the holiday season is upon us and we begin to feel overwhelmed and bombarded, remember to stop and think, "Is what I'm doing bringing joy to others this holiday?" Whether you're baking cookies for coworkers, buying gifts for relatives, dropping coins in a Salvation Army bucket, sending care packages to a soldier you've never met, or giving a toy to a child you'll never know - if any of these things are on your to-do list this year, then embrace the holiday spirit and don't feel overwhelmed, feel overjoyed.
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