The holiday season is in full swing and while folks are busy wishing their friends and neighbors a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or grand Kwanza, we hope one and all won’t forget their less fortunate neighbors.
No matter how you wish holiday greetings, it is important to remember that not everyone is looking forward to Dec. 15, 25 and 26. Undoubtedly, the majority of North Kitsap’s kids aren’t included in this grouping.
Their parents, in some cases, are another story.
Bellringer is off to a great start, and with it, many residents are likely also helping ensure that low-income families have food on their tables this season. Both are worthy causes.
But there’s more to be done.
Thanks in large part to our friends at the Teddy Bear Coalition, the North Kitsap Herald toy box filled up this week with cuddly bears of all sizes. It’s always a joy to see these folks walk in with their sizeable donation to Bellringer and the toy drive.
Unfortunately, the latter still needs attention and time is running short.
The Herald will deliver its carload of presents for Fishline on Wednesday, but donations meant to make the holidays that much brighter for less fortunate children are well behind what they have been in years past. Hopefully, in true North Kitsap fashion, residents will again step up to the challenge.
It’s not always as easy as it sounds, of course.
But as we rush to and fro in hopes of finding that perfect gift for our own loved ones, we shouldn’t lose sight or thought of our neighbors in need. Those among us who are faced with tough decisions daily but decisions whose difficulty is compounded during the holidays.
Put yourself in this scenario: Pay the past due electricity bill or buy your two kids presents that they’ve been wanting for months? She’s 7 and he’s 10. They’re both great kids and neither got birthday presents because the car needed new brakes in June.
The food bank has been a godsend and Bellringer helped with the water bill in July. Both you and your spouse are working hard but never seem to be able to get ahead or break even most months.
It sounds a bit extreme to some but it’s not uncommon. And it’s not an easy call to make.
Those of us not being forced to make such decisions should all count our blessings. But we should do more.
This time of year is and should always be a magical one for children and besides, shopping for toys is about as fun as it gets — even if you’re not there to see the smiles and hear the laughter in households that are unfortunately more numerous than we all might think.
