A New Year is on its way, and with it comes the prospect of new beginnings. There’s no better way to ring in a new beginning than with thanksgiving and goodwill towards men. How appropriate then, that Thanksgiving and Christmas are the two holidays that round out the end of each year. Now that we’ve all had time to give thanks, it’s time to focus on the latter—goodwill towards men.
Living in a large city can be daunting. There’s the traffic, the waiting in long lines, the construction, the traffic, the lessening of personability, the diminishing personal time that is taken up by among other things—let’s face it, the traffic! There are so many growing pains that it becomes almost inevitable to lose sight of humanity and goodwill towards men in favor of securing self. However, we all eventually come to know full well that this option is a bottomless pit. So, before I go into all the wonderful opportunities for giving that the city has to offer this Christmas season, I’d like to say that a wonderful gift that the people of this city can give to each other is the gift of kindness and understanding. We can all afford to be a little more patient towards each other and offer something as simple and free as a smile. You quite literally have no idea how much someone might have needed that smile you just offered. Let’s dig deeply, and resolve to be kind to one another. Not because the other person deserves it, and not because we’re good enough to see past that, but because there is an opportunity to give.
___
There are plenty of other opportunities all around Murfreesboro to give this season. While this is certainly not an exhaustive list of opportunities, there are quite a few here to get you going if you aren’t sure where to start. The Salvation Army has its annual Christmas Tree Angel Drive underway. The Angel Tree starts earlier in the season, but will continue to receive gifts up until the Dec. 15 cutoff. For those interested, you can visit the Salvation Army at 1137 W. Main St. right off of New Salem Highway near Old Fort Parkway, and find out which needs still remain.
In addition, if you aren’t heavy on extra cash this year, there are other ways to serve. For example, you can give a little time instead of money. First off, The Salvation Army is in need of bell ringers! I volunteered to ring the Salvation Army Bell about a decade ago in the mini-mall in downtown Nashville. I personalized it. I sang, I danced and I chatted. I interacted with the people passing by. I made it fun. Make it fun! Consider signing up to ring the bell! Or, if that’s just not your thing, there’s also an opportunity to help out by distributing the gifts that the Angel Tree collects right before Christmas around Dec. 18. Giving out gifts and seeing the joy of the children receiving them is certainly a good way to fill your cup with cheer!
___
Another organization helping make Christmas brighter for the city is the congregation at World Outreach Church. I was elated to hear that a church of its size still manages to see the wisdom in allocating duties to reliable organizations that are already in place. In other words, they don’t necessarily have a toy drive, or other programs of their own. Instead, they gather donations from among their congregation and then distribute those donations to organizations already in place, such as Toys for Tots and Feed America First. Furthermore, they hold several Christmas Eve services, and all monetary donations received are given to benefit charities in the local community. If you’d like more information on how to donate to this church, or if you’d like to attend their Christmas Eve services, you can visit wochurch.org for more information.
The World Outreach community also offers a free Christmas gift wrap service center in Stones River Mall in Murfreesboro from Dec. 7 through Christmas Eve.
___
Toys for Tots is another great program keeping in the spirit of giving this season. There are many ways to get involved with TFT from volunteering your time, to donations including money, warehouses, vehicles, gas cards and, of course, toys! The money and toys donated to TFT always remain local. In addition, they boast a 3 percent operating cost, meaning that 97 percent of donations go directly to purchasing toys. Started in 1947 by the Marine Corps Reserve as a community outreach program, TFT now distributes about 17 million toys to 7 million children each year. Any toy donation is greatly appreciated. TFT toy collection extends to children all the way up to the age of 14, so buying for a teenager is still suitable for the program. Anyone interested in helping out this organization can visit nashville-tn.toysfortots.org.
___
The Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford County works in cooperation with the Department of Children’s Services, local law enforcement and the district attorney’s office to serve the county’s youngest victims of crime. This very worthwhile organization is happy to receive whatever assistance anyone wishes to offer based on whatever their budget allows. Some sponsors contribute money or gift cards, some give toys, some give hygiene products, some offer candy for stocking stuffers and some provide the stockings. Some people choose to sponsor one child, while others wish to sponsor a family or more. All donations of appropriate nature are welcome, no matter how small or large the box they come in. Anyone wishing to donate to this organization can reach Jennifer Gamble at jgamble@cacrutherford.org.
___
Boulevard Terrace Rehabilitation and Nursing Center has an angel tree up in its front lobby, and members of their staff say it would be a blessing if some people in the area would come adopt an angel. The angels are labeled male and female and has the resident’s wish list. It is up to sponsors how many items you pick and which items and all help is appreciated. All angels need to be returned with their gifts by Dec. 16. Boulevard Terrace encourages all volunteer help and visits as well. For more information on this project, contact Crystal at the Boulevard Terrace activity department at 615-896-4505 or drop by the facility at 1530 Middle Tennessee Blvd.
___
Local Avon Representative Tina Lillig is currently running a fundraiser with Avon’s Finley the Fox. These 13-inch, ultra-plush, cuddly stuffed animals retail for $25 plus shipping and handling and taxes. This December, Lillig offers two of these friendly Finley the Foxes for $32 with the objective of donating some to Rutherford County police agencies. Customers can choose to keep one and give one to the local police departments, or to donate both.
Local law enforcement will keep the stuffed animals on hand to offer them to children they may encounter who are in the midst of domestic issues, devastation or displacement to help brighten their day. Plus, 55 cents of each sale goes to Feed America First in Murfreesboro who supplies fresh goods to local food banks. For more information on this project, contact Lillig at avonteamtcb@yahoo.com or 360-620-2592.
___
Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office is accepting gift donations for senior citizens through Dec. 18 in a box located in the main lobby of the Sheriff’s Office located at 940 New Salem Highway in Murfreesboro.
___
Filling your cup with cheer and getting into the Christmas Spirit is as easy as extending your arm out to another and helping them up in a time of need. There’s no wrong way to help out if it is done in love. Whether you give of your time, your money, or both, giving is an important part of understanding what this season is all about. And it also helps to remember that you’re never fully dressed without a smile!
