Cup O’ Joe: The season for giving

While this time of year is typically filled with joy for many people, it is sometimes easy to forget that not everyone shares the yuletide spirit.
The holidays are a difficult and trying time for some folks. This year especially, more people are experiencing financial issues of not having enough money to get their children the gifts they want — or any gifts at all. It’s a tough decision for sure for those with economic needs. Do they buy their child a gift to put under the tree? Or do they spend their money to put food on the table?
    And then there is also the matter of skyrocketing oil prices. Many will have a difficult time heating their homes this winter and may be prompted to try alternative heating solutions just to keep warm. Electric space heaters are the most common, but those can come with a level of risk if not used properly.
The Salvation Army began its Red Kettle Campaign the day after Thanksgiving. For those that don’t know, the money raised by the kettle campaign is used to help people with fuel assistance during the winter months. Without donations in the kettle, many people will be in for a long, cold winter.
Major Steve Pearl of the Salvation Army estimates about 140 families from Caribou to Patten will be in need of some type of economic assistance this winter. That number could easily go up if winter drags on. The Salvation Army hopes to raise about $65,000 from its kettle campaign, but it won’t be able to without the generosity of the community.
For me, I try to put something in each time I pass one and have encouraged my children to do the same.  Sometimes it’s only $1 or the change I have in my pocket, but I figure every little bit helps. About 10 kettles can be found from Houlton to Caribou. Any family or individual that would like to volunteer to be a bell ringer, can contact Pearl at 538-5284.
Another way that the Salvation Army helps is by collecting gifts for people through its “Angel Tree” program. Angel Trees are located at Kmart and JC Penney in Presque Isle and Walmart and Mardens in Houlton and are filled with tags that state one specific gift item that a person has requested. For example, one tag might read: “baby doll for 4-year-old female.” The gifts can be dropped off, with the tag, at the Salvation Army to be distributed.
Toys for Tots is another way to provide children with gifts this holiday season. Berny Reece of the Aroostook County Marine Corps League Detachment 1368, is the local organizer for the Toys for Tots campaign
In 2011, the group assisted more than 700 youths in the central/southern area by providing them with gifts. New, unwrapped toys are now being collected and will be distributed as Christmas gifts to the needy children in the community. Drop off boxes can be found at the Houlton Pioneer Times office  Houlton Chamber of Commerce, Sherwin Williams and S.W. Collins in Houlton. Boxes and donations cans can also be found at the Bridgewater Town Office, Mars Hill IGA, Mars Hill Pharmacy, Family Dollar in Mars Hill, and the Fosters on the Run store in Mars Hill. Reece added all money collected locally is spent in Aroostook County.
Those who would like to make a donation may do so online at www.toysfortots.org and direct their donation to a specific area. Any businesses that would like a donation box are encouraged to contact Reece. Monetary donations can also be mailed to Reece at 8 Alfred St., in Houlton. For more information, call Reece at 538-6964.
My mother taught me the importance of donating to groups like the Salvation Army at a very early age. She explained how when she was a young girl growing up in Hodgdon, the Salvation Army often brought presents to her home because her parents were unable to afford ones.
That message has stuck with me for many years and it is one I have tried to pass along to my children too. We may not be able to help everyone, but we can help out one or two. If everyone that is able to did the same, no child would go without at least one small gift, or more importantly have heat in their home, this holiday season.
Joseph Cyr is a staff writer for the Houlton Pioneer Times. He can be reached at pioneertimes@nepublish.com or 532-2281.