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I have been accused of being a naysayer. And I’ll admit, the moniker often fits aptly. I blame my general skepticism, which I often must prevent from becoming outright cynicism. It’s a view journalists develop as we see more and more corruption. You see, when it’s an important part of your job to recognize, probe and then reveal lies and deceit, it becomes easier to think that is what pervades the world around us.
But it’s an errant view.
I am often heartened to see the stories that crop up around the holidays of people helping people.
The news over the past week has been flecked with several such stories. One that caught my attention was the anonymous group now dubbed “Layaway Angels” who have been reported paying anonymously for layaway items at Kmart stores across the country — in South Dakota, Ohio, Iowa, Illinois, California, Florida, West Virginia and elsewhere, even right here in the great state of New York.
In Iowa City, Iowa, an anonymous woman walked into City Hall, paid her own water bill and then paid 17 others, all of which had delinquent balances. Some water customers had already had their water shut off. Others were scheduled to lose service in coming days. Her good works ensured all 17 homes had running water.
Locally, several groups participate in charity at the holidays. Local clubs and organizations set up food drives and holiday meal deliveries.
Just this week, we were reminded that school-age youngsters are stepping up and helping in this effort. On page A3 of this week’s edition, we learn that several Dansville area youths participated in Project Christmas, which brings together many of these civic groups, churches, scout groups and private individuals.
Project Christmas is notable among charitable groups in that it looks to augment an existing program by providing assistance to families whose income and circumstance are just above the levels that would qualify for many need-based programs.
Despite all the negative news we read and hear, the fact that there are such groups and individuals among our community should give us hope and a renewed sense of pride.
While it’s disheartening to see the state of affairs where more and more of us are falling into this latter group that skates by from paycheck to paycheck, efforts such as Project Christmas deserve our support and assistance, and not just during this time of holiday giving, but throughout the year.
I have been accused of being a naysayer. And I’ll admit, the moniker often fits aptly. I blame my general skepticism, which I often must prevent from becoming outright cynicism. It’s a view journalists develop as we see more and more corruption. You see, when it’s an important part of your job to recognize, probe and then reveal lies and deceit, it becomes easier to think that is what pervades the world around us.
But it’s an errant view.
I am often heartened to see the stories that crop up around the holidays of people helping people.
The news over the past week has been flecked with several such stories. One that caught my attention was the anonymous group now dubbed “Layaway Angels” who have been reported paying anonymously for layaway items at Kmart stores across the country — in South Dakota, Ohio, Iowa, Illinois, California, Florida, West Virginia and elsewhere, even right here in the great state of New York.
In Iowa City, Iowa, an anonymous woman walked into City Hall, paid her own water bill and then paid 17 others, all of which had delinquent balances. Some water customers had already had their water shut off. Others were scheduled to lose service in coming days. Her good works ensured all 17 homes had running water.
Locally, several groups participate in charity at the holidays. Local clubs and organizations set up food drives and holiday meal deliveries.
Just this week, we were reminded that school-age youngsters are stepping up and helping in this effort. On page A3 of this week’s edition, we learn that several Dansville area youths participated in Project Christmas, which brings together many of these civic groups, churches, scout groups and private individuals.
Project Christmas is notable among charitable groups in that it looks to augment an existing program by providing assistance to families whose income and circumstance are just above the levels that would qualify for many need-based programs.
Despite all the negative news we read and hear, the fact that there are such groups and individuals among our community should give us hope and a renewed sense of pride.
While it’s disheartening to see the state of affairs where more and more of us are falling into this latter group that skates by from paycheck to paycheck, efforts such as Project Christmas deserve our support and assistance, and not just during this time of holiday giving, but throughout the year.
