Tis the Season ... For Helping

As we settle into the holiday break and enjoy friends, family and get a visit from the jolly old elf himself, the Drummond family wants to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Kerry and I are so blessed to have a wonderful family, with six little feet (Sadie, Patrick and Liam) waking us up each morning. And there is no more important of a morning to a child than Christmas. Seeing their eyes light up at the presents under the tree, the half-eaten cookies and carrots and of course the warmth of a hug, really trains one hearts on whom Christmas is meant for - the children.

But there are many children around our community who won't wake up to presents, the smell of cookies or the love of a parent. We have great wealth in this community; but also great poverty, much of which we don't see - or we turn a blind eye to, thinking that someone else will worry about it. Well, that's not exactly how it works. We all have to worry about it.

With this in mind, I ask that you find some time in the new year to help those in need. Certainly financial donations are appreciated, but so is your time. Get to know your neighbors and work within your own organizations - be they a place of worship or a non-profit - to find ways to help lift people out of poverty, give them hope and change their lives for the better.

There are certainly many great organizations to work with, but there are three that stand out for me, all based here in the City of Fairfax. The Lamb Center, Our Daily Bread and FACETS each helps members of the community in different ways, but they do so efficiently, effectively and with compassion. Please click on one of the groups' links and get involved.

Happy Holidays and enjoy the time with family, friends and neighbors. See you around town in 2013.