It is the time of giving

Christmas is about hope.

No matter what you believe in, everyone can take something positive, something special, from the Christmas story. It's about believing that something good will happen.

And all indications are that Central Alberta is convinced of this idea.

While so many are caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas activities, from church to concerts to shopping to entertainment, they are fortunate to live in abundance, be healthy, and have loving families and friends. And in the midst of that happiness, they are asked to share a little bit of it.

There are many opportunities to do this at this time of year.

With the season comes the Festival of Trees, charity checkstops, Sally Ann Cauldrons, gift baskets and Adopt-A-Family drives, food donations at events like the Westerner's Christmas Bazaar, gifts from the Christmas Bureau, toy donations to pay for parking tickets, and much more.

All of these organizations share a similar goal: to help those in need, whether they are sick, poor, lonely, or in temporary distress.

Many people have been given a helping hand that has enabled them to move on to better things.

But it's not always about moving people forward. Sometimes it's about the most basic things – like making sure people don't go hungry because they have to spend more on heating in the winter, or seeing the big smiles on the children's faces and the relief of a single parent that their children will have a little Christmas joy.

If that helping hand turns into a magical success story, that's great. But if not, it's okay to just give unconditionally to help someone.

One could even argue that the act of giving without any recognition is true charity.

At this special time of expression of faith, hope and charity, those who are able are asked to give a little more. It is not an obligation.

It's an opportunity to remember that hard times can happen to anyone – most of us are never completely immune to the poverty line – and we enrich our lives by showing compassion for others.

When central Albertans are asked to donate this time of year, they usually do so without hesitation.

The numbers will continue to be counted throughout December.

For example, so far we've seen Red Deer charity Checkstop raise $23,000 (a decent increase from last year), the Stuff A Bus campaign donate $46,000 in cash to the food bank, and the Festival of Trees raise hundreds of thousands for the regional hospital foundation.

The Salvation Army, which distributes food baskets to families, is receiving a steady increase in applications, with more than 120 so far. The Red Deer Food Bank provided food to 2,100 people, including children, last month.

There is always a need, not just at Christmas. Fortunately, people always seem to respond accordingly.

Giving is an expression of a caring community.

Well done, Central Alberta.

Mary-Ann Barr is the Advocate's deputy local editor. Reach her by email at [email protected] or by phone at 403-314-4332.