2008 12 01 Charity

Charity



Charity is a wonderful element of humanity. When someone is down, others who are flush can step in to help. While there may be examples of charity in other animals, especially between parents and offspring, it is among human beings where charity is most obvious. Charity has three aspects, the giving of money or goods, the organizations established to collect and give, and the act of kindness toward others. December is the time of year when charity is most obvious because of the many appeals toward our pocketbooks and heartstrings.

Some charity is the result of government encouragement, some the result of ethics, and some the result of feeling good by sharing good fortune. The most direct form of charity is the private gift. A person sees a need and gives directly to a recipient who has that need. That charity can be in the form of time or money, with time often being most valuable. Someone who is hurting is made to feel outcast by our society, as they cannot participate in many activities that daily engage others. Paying attention to such a person with time can be most encouraging both for the recipient and the giver.

It has been our personal choice to give to those people and organizations with which we are directly involved. We serve in Kiwanis. We serve in our church. We give to family in need. We hope that by our direct involvement, we’ll help make this world a better place. It is an honor to provide as we can.



Charity



Charity, an attempt for

Parity, to those of

Austerity. Not quite a

Rarity, for those having

Clarity to address the need.



Those adrift

Need a gift,

As no more thrift

Avoids a swift

Drop—not a lift,

To financial abyss.



Those offbeat,

Come replete

With need for sweet,

If not lunch meat,

Or bowl of wheat.



So get off your seat,

And put on your cleat,

And run to the heat,

To give a nice treat,

But get a receipt!



The tax break is nice,

But just realize,

You get the best highs

From your anonymous prize,

Not noticing eyes.



So don’t drag your feet,

By waiting among elite,

As charities compete,

Naming those who can’t eat,

And needing your fine treat.



Instead, get ahead,

Giving some of your bread,

To those facing dread,

Before they are dead,

And you go to bed.



©Frank Bliss 2008 All rights reserved

December, 2008