By Mary Andrews

It is the lights! They grab my attention the first thing every year at Christmas time. The days are usually gray and gloomy when, suddenly, houses are outlined in colors and trees in yards and city parks are lit up. Some people add lighted yard decorations, too, and of course there is the Christmas tree – my all-time favorite.

What is your favorite thing about Christmas, other than family and friends? Is it the decorations painted on store windows like Allen’s Furniture? Is it window displays at other stores? Is it holiday music played on the radio or in stores? Is it a special kind of food – a cookie, candy cane, etc.? Is it the bright red poinsettias? How about watching children have their pictures taken with Santa? Could it be the smiling faces of our local store owners when you come in to shop? (That is something we all need to do this year.)

Whatever your favorite thing about the Christmas holidays is, savor it and enjoy it to the fullest.

In the midst of our own enjoyment we need to remember that not everyone is going to feel as excited about the holidays this year. We all know of people who have lost their jobs, who have families to care for. There are also in our communities single mothers struggling with rent increases, families suddenly overwhelmed with large medical bills and people who cannot afford needed prescriptions, let alone a Christmas tree or gifts. These are families who need help from our various community organizations.

At this time of year when we hear of requests for help from various organizations we may think that we do not have enough left over in our budgets to make a donation to any group. We may not have much money to share, but if we band together with others and put a little in “the pot” we will be surprised at the number of individuals we can help.

Here are a few places your small (or large) donations can be put to very good use:

• This one of the best ideas I have seen. QFC has joined with Food Lifeline to provide food for our community in its Share The Feast program. The store invites shoppers to purchase a sack of groceries for $5 or $10. That is truly easy – the bag is pre-packed, you add the cost to your grocery order and you are done. For those who can only donate one dollar, or those who wish to give a larger amount, the store can arrange for that, too, with a gift card to the program.

• The Youth Centers in Buckley and Enumclaw need donations all year. They need clothes and personal hygiene items. Buckley’s center is right next to the Post Office and Enumclaw’s is on Cole Street next to the senior center.

• One of the hardest-working groups here is Plateau Outreach Ministries, supported by local churches and families. At this time of year, the organization is trying to fill requests from families in need of food, housing and clothes. The group also helps people in other ways – seniors who cannot pay for much-needed prescriptions, people whose heat has been shut off and others in need. The POM office is in with More Pennies From Heaven, across the street from Enumclaw’s post office. A few dollars goes a very long way.

• Churches prepare food baskets for families for Christmas. Why not drop off a donation at your church, or any church office? Last year our church received a note from a family who had never before had a turkey. They had a great day because many of us chipped in a bit of money.

• Do not forget our local food banks. They are seeing more people than ever before and need our assistance.

• Most churches and often the police and fire departments have a Giving Tree with names and some gift suggestions. Why not take a tag and fill someone’s Christmas wish?

• Call one of our local schools and speak to the nurse or secretary. They often know of a family or two who could use some help this holiday season.

If you have more time than money there are many ways you, too, can help. You could volunteer a few hours a week at a local senior center; drive an elderly neighbor to a doctor’s appointment, to get a haircut or to church; offer to take the mail in to a neighbor who finds it difficult to walk to the mailbox; or offer to pick up a few items for them or for a young mother who is home with children.

If you are able to drive at night, why not invite a few fellow seniors over and drive the group through some of our local developments or down some well lit streets to enjoy the holiday lights and decorations? Follow it up with a cup of cocoa and cookies at your home. They will remember it all year.

It takes people with generous hearts to share. Often the first people to do so are those who once needed help from a food bank or from Plateau Outreach Ministry for they know the need is real.

Let us teach our children and grandchildren by example, and remind ourselves to reach out and joyfully help others here on the Plateau.

From my house to yours, whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year, enjoy it and savor it. Build up good memories to carry with you through the years.