The power of giving

Written by: Jenina Hernandez

Chica Girl Magazine

December Issue

            In high school I was involved with a community service organization called Teen Volunteer Corps. My best friend and I would find projects for the other members of the organization to do. Our projects varied from painting outdoors to picking up trash. We even worked as waiters for a fundraiser that helped the hospice center in our city.

            When the holidays rolled around there were so many community service needs, our organization and other volunteer groups at my high school could hardly keep up. We prided ourselves on helping families during the holidays. We collected as many toys and gifts as possible for the adopted families and when the time came to deliver them our advisor and a few members hopped in a big blue van with gifts and goodies in toe.

            We drove from our side of town, through the shopping centers and passed the packed malls. As we made our stops to each family the van was less and less crowded with wrapped toys and treats. At our final stop our hearts were filled with that warm fuzzy feeling that can’t come from a hot chocolate or a fireplace.

            The last home was a duplex, and for some reason I remember this family the most. There were two boys and their mother in this cozy home. The carpet was brown and shaggy and the living room was lightly furnished. In the corner was a small Christmas tree that glowed with the multicolored lights strung around the various handmade ornaments. As my eyes looked at the bottom of the tree, there were four or five small presents. My friends and I carried in the donated gifts in bags and we saw a light of happiness in the children’s eyes.

            They began jumping around and sifting through the boxes of gifts. Their mom must have seen this excitement because once we were all in her home she wanted the boys to open their gifts in front of us. As their eager hands ripped the wrapping paper the sounds of joy became louder. First the action figures, then the puzzle games. When all was said and done the living room was a mess of shredded paper and toys. Like all kids any clothing gifts were quickly tossed aside for toys, but their mother was overwhelmed with the generosity. Not long afterwards she thanked us for everything and we were on our way.

            The thing about the holidays is that suddenly we all feel the need to give. Giving is what this season is about. We can give to our friends and family, give to our neighbors and give to strangers. But, what I find most important is the power that we all have if we give together. When the country is in national crisis such as Hurricane Katrina or 9/11 we collectively as a country gave millions of dollars and gallons of blood. Even in the smallest number we can give extraordinary amounts. As the holidays roll around again, and you get that giving feeling remember to that even though our communities need so much help, and you are just one person you should never underestimate the power of giving.