Tis the season to serve others

Homes come alive with the start of the Christmas season for those who can afford homes as well as the decorations and gifts that accompany this holiday. At its basis, Christmas is about giving, especially to those in need. Not only can donations be given but so can time. There are many opportunities for the Sacred Heart Academy community to give items to those in need over this holiday season in order to fulfill the true meaning of Christmas.

Dare to Care Food Bank, an organization that strives to combat hunger within the Louisville community through the collection of food, has many giving opportunities during the holiday season. According to the Dare to Care Food Bank website, skate rentals for the ice rink on Fourth Street Live are free when donating three non-perishable food items in exchange. This began on Nov. 28 and lasts through the holiday season. Can’t make it downtown? Lucky’s Market, located fifteen minutes from Sacred Heart Academy at 200 N. Hurstbourne Parkway, will begin giving 5 percent of net sales to Dare to Care on Dec. 18.

Other opportunities for giving include a clothing drive by Volunteers of America in Kentucky. New winter clothes can be donated to any Louisville Heine Brothers’ Coffee shop.

Giving items is great but the gift of time and service are also needed this holiday season. The Salvation Amy, a Christian organization whose mission is “to feed, to clothe, to comfort, to care,” is in need of volunteers as well. Volunteers are needed to organize and deliver gift donations for the Angel Tree. Angel Trees, located outside stores and public places, are ways in which people can buy Christmas gifts for families who cannot afford to do so. The Salvation Army is also looking for volunteers who would like to ring a bell for donations. For more information in regards to the Salvation Army visit here.

According to a survey sponsored by the American Research Group, Inc., an estimated $861 will be spent by each individual shopper in the United States for gifts during this 2014 holiday season. In contrast, 578,424 people were homeless in Jan. 2014 within the United States with 216,197 of those people belonging to families according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. During the holiday season, weather is conventionally more severe, making conditions dangerous for those without basic necessities. Imagine a reality where warmth does not radiate from the fireplace or oven in which cookies are baking, but it’s being sought instead. Shelter, food, clothes and security are not something in present possession but are hoped for in the future not only for oneself by one’s family – so that they may have a Christmas worth remembering.

Missy Bartlett, a religion teacher at Sacred Heart Academy, explained the importance of community service during the holiday season. She remarked, “There are people with young children who are struggling to make a Christmas for them. It’s a time of cold weather where we need to provide for people who are lacking housing or warm blankets and those sorts of things.” She also specified that community service should be a significant priority not just during a particular time of the year but throughout the year in its entirety. When asked if she knew of any service opportunities for students over the holiday season, Bartlett suggested collecting food for food pantries. She elaborated, “Food pantries are so pressed right now. They are overwhelmed. I have a few friends who run the different community ministries around, and they say they are constantly looking for food.” Bartlett added that collecting “warm clothes, blankets and food is something that you can do with your friends independently and [can be taken] to a variety of places.”

Allison Woosley, a Sacred Heart senior, not only commented on the importance of community service but also made suggestions for potential opportunities to serve during the holiday season. Woosley remarked, “Service reminds us of the giving aspect of Christmas and that it is better to give than to receive. With time off school, the holiday season is a great time to serve the community.” As a volunteer at Baptist Health of Louisville, Woosley revealed that there are many opportunities to help those in need, specifically there is a Christmas decoration clean-up following the holiday season for anyone who may be interested. Woosley will be proposing this clean-up as a service opportunity for students in the National Honors Society. She also emphasized the need of volunteers at local soup kitchens. When asked about her perspective on service, McKenzie Winbigler, a Sacred Heart senior, stated, “Often times we forget how lucky we are to live the way we do, so it’s important to use our resources to help others in need. Through my experience at the soup kitchen, I’ve realized how fortunate I am to help others.” Winbigler recommends volunteering at the Cathedral of the Assumption for those with a desire to help others, especially during the holiday season. For more information on local food pantries click here.

Two of Sacred Heart’s core values are service and leadership. By serving others, students become leaders in the community. With the difficulties of managing the demands of school work and extra-curricular activities, it is not always easy to find time to volunteer. The days off school for Christmas break are what make the holiday season a great time for volunteering in the community. Opportunities to service, especially during the holiday season, are endless. All it takes is a willingness to help others through the giving of time.