By Candice Thompson
In Motion Staff Writer
“It’s… lovely, thank you.” Those familiar words muttered then paired with that well known fake smile seems to be the age old ‘Holiday Look’ of every kitschy gift-giving party out there.
It wouldn’t be the holidays without millions of recipients wondering what they are going to do with yet another bottle of cheap drugstore bath lotion that smells like old feet.
Let alone the fact that, in addition to the already mounting pile of gifts needing to be purchased, students now have to scrounge up a handful of cheap gifts because they are forced into participating in those awful Secret Santas. Finding a quality gift under $10 is difficult, time-consuming and just plain annoying. Finally, there’s securing the perfect, hard to find, last minute drugstore gift, only to watch in horror as recipients mutter the words “It’s lovely.”
Did they just side glance the trash can?
Why not ditch the Secret Santa and be a real hero this year, saving precious time and aggravation as a bonus. Join forces with those $10 and pick a charity to donate to as a group. If you don’t want to donate cash, contact the organization. Most charities have a wish list on their website. Everyone can pick out their own items or assign someone to pick up everything for the group. There’s always one person eager to do the shopping. You can rest easy knowing donated items will be going to good use.
If big corporation are on the naughty list this year check out Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary or HEEFS. The perfect small town organization, HEEFS story begins with a baby mini-pig named Esther. It didn’t take much time for Steve and Derek, lovingly called “Dads,” to realize that at only two years old and already 700 pounds, they had a full-sized hog on their hands. Inspired by the love they received from Esther, these two packed up and, moving out of the big city, headed straight for the countryside of Canada. They opened their own animal sanctuary that allows farm animals to live out their not-so-little lives in peace.
Still longing to be a Secret Santa? How about being HEEFS’ Gladys the sheep’s Secret Santa! I hear Pouty Face the cow still needs a few secret Santas, as well. When you visit www.HappilyEverEsther.ca, you’ll have plenty of animals to choose from. You can even gift a bale of hay.
On HEEFS Facebook page there are regular updates on animals’ progress, along with daily pictures of all of the creatures on the farm. Donors see first-hand the good their money is doing. Don’t miss the “little” girl who started it all — Esther the Wonder Pig. Comment on her posts and she may even write you back!
Love those new pots and pans you got from Santa this year? Great! A military veteran would just love that old set! Any household items from dish towels to furniture are needed for the Veterans Assistance Coalition. Vietnam veteran and Florida Chapter 8 Rolling Thunder member Jim Kreinest realized a desperate need for household goods when he learned the Salvation Army supplies apartment homes for veterans, but no furnishings. A majority of vets were forced to reside in completely empty homes because they couldn’t afford anything else. Too many veterans come back from overseas and find themselves with either no job, or a lesser paying job. Many lose their homes and end up homeless.
Since its inception in 2012, Veterans Assistance Coalition has given over 370 veterans all of the creature comforts of home. They have accumulated over $180,000 worth of furniture and household items. The Salvation Army was so moved by Kreinest’s efforts they now purchase brand-new beds for every veterans home.
Donate blood and you give the ultimate gift of life. According to the Red Cross, more than 40,000 donations of blood are needed in the U.S. every day. Donated blood is only good for 42 days. Massive amounts of blood donated when there is a crisis is good. Every day donations, however, are even better. The most needed blood type is ‘O.’ Giving blood is free, takes less than 10 minutes and good girls and boys will score a juice box and a cookie at the end. It’s win-win for everyone.
Or donate your time. There are lots of nursing home residents who would love the company. Color and play games with kids at a children’s hospital. Homeless shelters, soup kitchens, the local pound or animal rescue groups always need helping hands. T
Too many animal rescue groups are run by ordinary people with huge hearts who can’t bear to see an animal homeless, hungry, matted, or put down because no one wanted them. So these ordinary people take on the feeding, vetting, toys, baths, medical, exercise, playtime, treats, cages and food. And this is per animal.
Stop by and help them feed, play, brush or clean. Play with animals all day? Yes, please. Clean out that linen closet and bring old blankets and towels as an added bonus.