Greetings!
I spent much of this past Sunday volunteering with a group from my synagogue at SEARCH, one of Houston's great homeless organizations. We made sandwiches for the next day's lunch, sorted all sorts of clothes and wrapped a lot of gifts for homeless kids. We learned that, thankfully, hundreds of people are stopping by SEARCH offering gifts and clothes as the holiday spirit moves them to seek out ways to help.
I was asked what was going on at IM. I told them we have the same outpouring of love - lots of companies, congregations and individuals are stopping by dropping off gifts for our seniors and refugee kids. It is quite something to watch. Houstonians are just so friendly and full of caring hearts. I used to think it was a miracle, and maybe it is, but more likely it is just something that makes our hometown special.
I don't share the same worries that some have about losing sight of the meaning of the Holidays. Sure, there's a lot of focus on gifts and such, and frankly without that our economy would sink further into the pits. But what I see every day reminds me that thousands of good folks who make Houston home have found a balance between the consumer and the spiritual side of Christmas, Hanukkah and all the other holidays that fall around this time of year.
This month alone IM will receive hundreds, if not thousands of small gifts (like blankets, scarves, slippers and playing cards for our seniors; and small toys and even bikes for our newest refugee kids); and we will receive more than 1000 monetary gifts from as little as $5 all the way up to many thousands. Last December we received just over 1,500 such gifts.
Multiply this by the hundreds of organizations that are receiving a similar outpouring of love and you see that so many of us know that the hole in our hearts is filled by taking an extra step or two to think about others in this time of joy. Maybe that's what makes it so joyful.
So don't fret, my friends. I don't think many of you have forgotten what Christmas or any of the other holidays are about. There are just too many of you who know that the best expression of love is when you share it with others - those close and those in need of someone's loving touch. There are lots of places for you to play Santa - here at IM and so many others. Just find the ones that fit you best and your holiday will be that much more complete.
May the season's holidays be Holy for you all. And may 2012 bring us peace and even better times than the year that will soon pass.
IM Thank Yous
· Thank you to CenterPoint Energy and Houston SPCA for hosting the Holiday aniMeals Pet Food drive that goes until December 14th. Click here to learn how you can donate!
· The Houston Holiday Tweet Drive is on December 15th and will collect toys and books for our refugee children. Enjoy a great time while giving back. Click here to learn more.
Elliot Gershenson
President and CEO
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston
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