‘Tis the season to be generous

Merry Christmas! I know it’s a bit early, but Christmas Eve is right around the corner and for those of you who enjoy the holiday as much as I do then, like me, you can hardly wait. But in the revelry and the merriment let’s not forget what the season really is about. It’s about celebrating, of course, but it’s also about giving hope to those who don’t have hope, about shining a light for those who are in the dark, and about sharing our blessings with those who have not been as blessed. Basically, it’s the time of year when we give thanks for all we have by sharing with others.

I, in particular, have much to be grateful for this year. I recall last year I was pretty down and out. I was happy it was Christmas – I always am – but I wasn’t particularly happy with my own life. I wasn’t miserable or depressed; I just wasn’t ecstatic or hopeful about another wonderful year of existence. Last year was actually a transition for me and I was moving out of a negative state of mind into a more positive one. And now, looking back, I can’t help but think I’ve come a long way and I’m so grateful to be right here! I can honestly say I’m happy now. I have a clear picture of what I want and I’m surrounded by positive influences and people who love and care for me. What more could I ask for?

So as I move closer to December 25 with the happiness and peace in my heart that I’d been searching for for so long, I can’t help but remind myself that there are many others out there who are still looking. There are many out there who don’t have as much to be grateful for or who can’t find it in themselves to smile this holiday season. And for that reason, along with many others, I remember how this is the season to give to others – not just money, but time, prayers and love. It’s time to give of yourself and, believe me, that’s the best present out there.

Yet I also know how hard it is to decide whom to share your abundant blessings with. After all, with so many charities out there it’s not easy to be able to pick just one. As for me, during Christmastime I can’t but think of the children since Christmas is so special to them. Why not help more children enjoy the holidays by donating to these worthwhile causes that champion children’s futures? I know they inspire me and I commend the many men and women who give their time, money, effort or even just their presence to help these causes reach their goals.

CRIBS: Creative Responses Infants By Sharing

CRIBS began in 1947 when two missionary minister’s wives saw the need to nurture and care for neglected and abandoned babies and took them into their homes. Soon, more babies were added to them and the country’s first volunteer foster homes were opened to accommodate them. A residential home, which is now the Receiving Home, was established in response to the need to nurse and look after a growing number of sick infants. Twelve years later, another home was created to help the victims of sexual abuse.

Through the years CRIBS, which is a non-stock non-profit organization, has grown in response to the rising number of infants rejected and given up each year and to the rapidly increasing number of abused and traumatized children. In order to nurture and care for them properly CRIBS has a competent staff of nurses, midwives, and other professional childcare practitioners. It is their hope to create a loving home and environment for each child that needs one and provide them hope for a brighter future. Indeed, the responsive staff and volunteers are committed to helping the children heal and recover in the hopes of providing them with opportunities to become whole and change their social reality.

Another program that CRIBS has begun is the New Beginnings Program, which is a residential center for female victims of abuse aged seven to 17. CRIBS helps these girls begin the long healing process by providing them with a safe environment under the care of substitute "house parents" with as many positive experiences as possible. Participation from the girls’ families is also sought and several enhancing activities are undergone to help the girls heal and look forward to their future.

Through generous donations and kind volunteers CRIBS has been able to flourish and help many of those in need. A donation to CRIBS helps so many abandoned and neglected babies as well as girls who need a second lease on life. It is truly an investment in the future.

CRIBS Philippines: 681-6921 or 681-8078 or check out their website at http://cribsphilippines.org

KYTHE: Uplifting the Spirit of Pediatric Patients and their Families

Kythe began in 1992 when two Ateneo de Manila University graduates Fatima Garcia and Icar Castro decided to put up an organization that provided psychosocial support to pediatric patients. They put all of their effort into the project and soon named their psychosocial activities The Child Life Program. Over the years Kythe has expanded their projects and broadened their scope of affiliate hospitals to nine all over the Philippines. Fatima Garcia even completed her Child Life Internship and passed the exam becoming the first certified Child Life Specialist in the Philippines.

Through the years Kythe has reached out to those pediatric patients and uplift their spirits with various programs and activities and they are always on the lookout for people who are willing to join the worthwhile cause. Though monetary donations are greatly appreciated and much needed, there are other ways to help Kythe too. You can be a volunteer – do playroom activities by helping to facilitate the integrated reading program, assisting in music and movement and art therapy, or simply being a recreational playmate.

You could also volunteer to do bedside activities with children, like reading to them, serenading them with songs, playing your guitar or other musical instruments, or doing arts and crafts like bead-making, drawing, or painting. There are truly many ways to help the children and the simplest of these is just being there for them to crack a joke or hold a hand. Kythe holds volunteer orientations the next one scheduled for January 13, 2007 at the Kiddie Corner, 6th Floor, AFP Medical Center.

Kythe: 376-3454 or 0918-9072094 or check out their website at www.kythe.org

World Vision: Changing Lives Throughout the World

World Vision is an international Christian organization committed to uplift the lives of less fortunate people and communities in over 90 countries worldwide. World Vision partners with local and other concerned agencies to implement projects that focus especially on enriching the lives of children. Through donations and sponsorships, you can help a less fortunate child and family secure a better future through education, proper nutrition, religious social events, and many others. Indeed, sponsoring a child through World Vision not only helps the child but helps the whole family as well. Many children who have been sponsored through World Vision have grown into successful members of society and have been able to uplift themselves and their families.

And not just that, World Vision also helps in disaster relief projects. As a relief agency, they respond along with the likes of Red Cross and the UN when natural calamities hit. At present they are accepting donations and volunteers who wish to help with the Typhoon Reming Relief Project ongoing in Legazpi City, Albay. They have already donated food items to 20,000 of the victims of the area and are continuing to work with local government units on further assistance. Most importantly, they will be putting up child-friendly spaces in all evacuation areas to give the utmost attention to the affected children in the area.

Again, as with CRIBS and Kythe, there are many ways to donate to World Vision. You can give a monetary donation, you can sponsor a child or two or three, or you can be a corporate sponsor and help fund all their worthwhile causes. If I’m not mistaken, at Christmastime they also have a "Buy a Family a Noche Buena" program that provides underprivileged families with a simple Noche Buena meal for the holidays at a minimal cost.

World Vision: Hotline 372-7777 or check out their website at www.worldvision.org.ph

So, this Christmas, truly celebrate the meaning of the season and share your blessings with others. Just the simple warm-fuzzy feeling you get from helping those in need, not to mention the adorable smiles from the children, are presents enough in return. Again, merry Christmas and happy holidays!