Helping others is a reason for this season

Every so often in a yard or a window around this time of year, a person can see a sign that asks people to remember the reason for the season. And while we should remember why we are celebrating, we should also remember that one of the teachings of that little babe was helping others.

People in the New Prague area have shown several ways in which they are helping others. There are Adopt-A-Family, Cardboard City, Santa Anonymous, a Tree of Giving, Shop With a Cop, Salvation Army bell ringers and area food shelves in New Prague, Lonsdale and Elko New Market. Whether it’s coats, raising funds to help others, providing food or gifts, people have been going forward to provide assistance or a little cheer for others. Some of that cheer has also been in the form of music as the Sweet Memory Singers recently sang Christmas Carols for and with residents of Mala Strana Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Center. Earlier this month the New Prague Czech Singers sang at Phillip Square and there was the Community Christmas Concert.

Many know that these groups and individuals who give of their time and resources have been doing it on an annual basis. Others continue to help people all year. That is likely one thing we must remember, that while we can know the warm feeling of helping others, it doesn’t have to be during one season, it can be many times during the year. Even if it’s something as small as providing a slightly used coat, snow boots or tennis shoes, or perhaps a small donation in any form to a food shelf.

I’m going to close with a quote from Charles Dickens. While the ghost of Jacob Marley said it with anguish and self-chastisement, hopefully we can say it with some joy, knowing we actually worked to help others. “Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, benevolence, were all my business.”