Santa Claus needs gifts of his own this holiday season
Published 12:00 am Thursday, December 15, 2005
I would say everybody has seen the attention-grabbing posters. A white-haired and white-bearded man pointing fiercely as he glares and says, “We want you.”
All these years I thought it was Uncle Sam but now I know I must have been mistaken. Apparently, joining the U.S. Army also enrolls you in Santa’s Army but this is not an exclusive club for America’s soldiers.
Each one of us can be a hero, too. I just got off the phone with Santa Claus himself and he said that was really his likeness on those posters. I guess he owed the government one and needed a few little helping hands himself so he decided to kill two birds with one stone.
I didn’t know exactly what to say to old Saint Nick but I replied, “Hey Santa. It sure has been awhile. What do you need?”
The big, round elf from the North Pole just sighed, clearly tired of explaining a concept that children grasp, but adults often overlook.
“I need you to spread holiday cheer to those who are less fortunate.”
“I can do that. Has this been a problem lately?” I asked incredulously.
“Well, we can always use some extra hands, especially this time of year when many less fortunate people are struggling to put the ‘happy’ in ‘happy holidays,’” Santa said to me.
“OK, I will do what I can,” I told him as I hung up the phone.
So, I started to look for little ways I could help in the community and there was a lot. But then, I quickly realized that Santa must have been burning up the phones because he had already enlisted so many others.
Countless local civic organizations were already hard at work. Groups such as the Ironton Kiwanis Club, the local Lions Clubs, the Friends of Ironton, all of Lawrence County’s schools, veteran groups and other selfless volunteers were already playing the role of Santa’s helpers by giving to food pantries, the City Welfare Mission, United Way, Big Brothers, Big Sisters or many other churches, groups and projects that hope to spread as much holiday cheer as they can.
With a smile on my face, I started to reflect on all that I had learned and plan the way I can help out. I quickly realized that my small share adds up with each and every other Good Samaritan. It takes all of us, but we can make a difference.
Santa was right. This is an example where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, meaning that each random act of kindness means a lot, but when all are combined, it means the world to those in need.
I may just be a big kid at heart, but I still believe in Santa Claus. And I am already getting my milk and cookies ready for the big night, although I think I may leave them with someone who needs them a little more than me. I know Santa will understand.
In fact, he expects no less from one of his army.
Do a good deed. Help someone in need. Give to a food pantry. Santa can always use a few extra elves. And he promised not to make any of us wear those pointy hats.
Michael Caldwell is managing editor of The Ironton Tribune. He can be reached by calling (740) 532-1445 ext. 24 or by e-mail at mike.caldwell@irontontribune.com.