Our Turn: Getting in the Spirit
Tis’ the season to give. The holidays are quickly approaching so why not get into the holiday spirit a tad bit early? My name is Lindsey Maloney and I’m a junior at the Northwoods Community Secondary School (NCSS) where my classmates are all getting into the holiday spirit as well.
It all started with a YouTube video. My advisor (Ms. Ellerson) decided to show us a video about the Landfill Harmonics Recycled Orchestra. It was a very sad story but inspiring nonetheless.
In a South American town just outside Asuncion, Paraguay’s capital, Cateura is the city’s trash dump. The town’s residents are basically swimming in a sea of garbage. But instead of letting it ruin them they found a way to make the situation a lot more bearable. One of the garbage pickers named “Cola,” teamed up with a local musician, Favio Chávez, to make instruments for the children considering they couldn’t afford real ones. It worked and with the town’s support they have become extremely noticed and widely inspiring.
After watching that video, Ms. Ellerson suggested we could do something to make a difference for our community just like the two men had done for theirs. It probably wouldn’t be as big as theirs but even the smallest gesture makes a difference. We all agreed. So now we are knee deep in several community service projects based around the holiday seasons.
Jake Decker is leading a project that involves sending out care packages and Christmas cards to the soldiers overseas as well as the veterans who have fought for our freedom.
Xena Pauke has come up with a two part food drive to give food to families who can’t afford a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
Jamie Halbman is overseeing a project where we are planning to crotchet/knit/sew scarves to give to people in need.
I’m doing something I call “Project Nursing Home”. My plan is to make Christmas cards and ornaments for Taylor Park and Friendly Village residents. We’ll wrap them in boxes and put each of their names on the top and deliver them about a week before Christmas Eve so when they open it they’ll each have a Christmas ornament and a card.
I love the feeling of helping others. It makes me feel good because I know that I am doing something to make someone’s day better even if it’s nothing too big. It shows people that even if I don’t know them personally I still care.
Personally, I think Christmas is my favorite holiday not just because of the presents but because I feel great about helping others. True holiday spirit isn’t found in the feeling you get when opening presents on Christmas morning. It’s about making a difference and being happy while doing it. I love the idea of these community service projects because I know for a fact that someone will have a smile on their face because they know somebody does care.
This is the holiday spirit at its finest.
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