For many of us, the Holiday Season brings feelings of great joy. Thankgiving is a time where everyone takes a moment to focus on all the things they have been blessed with over the past year. Once the turkey is off the table we immediately set our sights on Christmas. And just as the holidays change so does our focus. We tend to forget about what we are thankful for and focus on what we want for Christmas. For most children that is the latest and greatest toy or perhaps a new video game or computer. But for some children, their Christmas wishes are for things that all of us take for granted in everyday life – clothes, shoes, a pillow, blankets, a bed to sleep in, money for the family… these are the real wishes of some of the members here at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor.
We do not want to paint the picture that all our members are poverty stricken or begging for things; on the contrary, we would not be aware of these needs if it were not for a survey that was done throughout our organization about three weeks ago. The truth of the matter is times are tough for everyone and this Christmas will be especially tough for some families.
Let us take the time to continue to be thankful for our blessings but to also look for ways in which we can help those who need a helping hand. This December, I hope that this blog will be filled with stories of how the community came together to make this Christmas one of the merriest for all the children we serve.