Live United by Ann Austin

Around this time every year one of the television channels airs “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”  This year will be the 50th anniversary of its creation by Charles Schulz.

If you haven’t seen it before, I think it tells a pretty accurate tale of how many feel during the holidays.

The lead character Charlie Brown feels depressed and doesn’t know why. He sees the local psychiatrist who, after suggesting a variety of diagnoses, decides that Charlie just needs to get engaged in some kind of holiday activity. She suggests he direct the local play.

After all of the normal Charlie Brown shenanigans, and many funny and not so funny cracks at commercialism and greed, Charlie and the other children end up connecting with the true spirit of the season — being with others and expressing joy and thankfulness in their togetherness.

Schulz himself admitted that he often experienced anxiety and feelings of depression throughout his life — though he learned to temper these feelings through his work with the comics and having an active family life, the feelings were often expressed through his characters.

It’s telling that Charlie and Charles himself were so affected by the season of giving. Some get so much while others struggle to get by. There is a strong urge to do something and to find some meaning beyond the brightly wrapped presents under the tree.

We all certainly aren’t meant to direct a play, but there are ways we can give back now, and throughout the year and find greater meaning in helping others. Here are some ideas:

1. Buy a bag of groceries for a local family. There are pre-packaged groceries you can purchase for $5 each at Marketplace Foods. You just need to bring them to the check out lane and they will ring them up and ensure they are given to a local food pantry. If you’re like me and have a toddler in tow, it’s a quick and easy way to give back on a regular basis.

2. Donate your gently used baby/toddler clothes, toys, furniture, bottles, or purchase diapers, formula and other items for families in need and give them to the kind folks at Gifts From Above. This is a great program that is located out of First Baptist Church in Albert Lea. They connect families with resources and programs that provide encouragement and support so children can be raised in safe, healthy homes. Call 507-402-8744 for more information about current needs or ways to get involved.

3. Visit The Children’s Center (James Avenue) in the next week or two and pick a few items from their angel tree — the site can always use new toys, size D batteries, board books, paper, Kleenex and any other items that young children would appreciate.

4. Consider adopting a family through Semcac Community Action. There is a homeless shelter onsite that provides safe living conditions for families in transition. The families are often in need of gas cards, winter items such as hats and scarves, laundry soap, shampoo, socks and diapers. Visit 2202 Stevens St. to drop off a care package or call 373-1329 for more information about other needs the families may have. Another idea is to purchase movie passes for the family — this is a luxury many people can’t afford and will make the holiday season that much brighter.

5. Volunteer to serve food at Loaves and Fishes. You can sign up through your church, or contact St. Theodore Catholic Church.

6. Support our youth by providing snack items and other necessities to The Rock. They are constantly in need of healthy snack food such as carrots/ranch dip, fresh fruit, peanut butter and jelly and milk. Items that are especially important this time of year are boots and shoes (all sizes), mittens, hats, scarves and coats. Toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant and other personal care items are also needed year-round. You can also volunteer at the site making snacks for the children. Many children will bring food home to have for dinner and on the weekends.

7. Ring bells. There are a variety of sites around town and most are set up in quite cozy places. This is a great activity to do with children, or to spend quality time with friends you haven’t seen in a while. A smiling face goes a long way to help support our local Salvation Army.

8. Go caroling at one of the retirement communities. If you have a relative or friend in a local site or if you just like to sing, this is a great activity to brighten many people’s days.

There are so many great opportunities to give back throughout the year — if you would like more ideas or want to know what is going on the rest of the year you can visit the United Way website: www.unitedwayfc.org and click on the Volunteer tab or call us at 373-8670.

 

Albert Lea resident Ann Austin is the executive director of the United Way of Freeborn County.