RSS 2.0 FeedDecember 9, 2010, Weekly editorial
Secret Santas
This past Monday, Saint Nicholas Day, celebrates the original Secret Santa, a bishop who anonymously left the money some young women needed for a dowry and performed other secret acts of charity.
The tradition has continued with our modern-day Santa Claus, who leaves gifts by the fireplace on Christmas Eve. But, besides his elves, he has many other helpers.
The holiday season is the time when winter hits, and poverty becomes even more painful. Local service clubs try to make it a little less so by providing heating assistance, warm clothing, food and toys, and parties to cheer up the children.
As families who are less needy prepare to celebrate their own holidays, many make end-of-the-year donations to charities and other nonprofits, which is encouraged by the Internal Revenue Service by providing tax writeoffs.
One of our staff members reports she and her family save the mailed requests they receive until the holiday season and then sit down at the dining room table and go through them before they vote on which to send checks to.
This is also the time to remember those who look forward to their holiday tip to help provide a little extra for the holiday season.
The truth is that all of us, whatever our situation, can be Secret Santas. We can at least give a smile or encouraging word, open a door or carry a package.
We at your community newspaper are thankful for all of our Secret Santas. They are the people who give us a heads up on news stories or encourage their new neighbors to subscribe and get to know their new hometown that way. They advise new businesses to join the chamber of commerce and advertise in their hometown paper.
We want you to know, whoever you are, that we appreciate your support of your community and its newspaper!
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