By: Dr. Tanvi Maharaja As the year comes to an end, the spirit of Christmas envelopes me like one of those foggy, shimmery winter mornings. I remain utterly enchanted and enthralled by the beauty of this season, and this festival in particular. Even in my forties, I cannot help but gaze wide-eyed as a child … More The Beauty of Giving
By: Martianne Stanger “Come! Come!” called the excited cries of a child, beckoning us to the window where feathered friends had finally found and started to use the Wild Birds of Joy window birdfeeder that one of my children got for Christmas. Thereupon, so many giggles and grins ensued as we witnessed what we imagined … More What a Wonder at the Window: Santa’s Gift to the Nature Lover
By: Sandy Churchill ‘Tis the season for gift-giving, shopping for the perfect presents, wrapping in a frenzy, and celebrating faith, family, and friends. At our house, there are always the “easy” folks to buy for, those who have myriad interests and a grateful spirit, so gift-giving is truly a pleasure. Then there are the “difficult” … More Gifts of Experience Make Memories
By: Deirdre Littlefield Since adopting our last child, collecting donations for children living in foster care has become a passion of mine. There are so many children of all ages in need and I have found even more people who want to give to them. Together, we have found a way to connect the two. … More Giving is Receiving
By: Sandy Churchill This year’s Thanksgiving has turned the page, Christmas songs are on the radio, and stores are bedecked in their finest of crimson, silver, and gold. Many of us are in the throes of Christmas shopping and searching for gifts for loved ones near and far, be it online shopping or frenzied treks … More The One Gift Everyone Should Give This Christmas
By: Heather O’Neill My 10-year-old son was in 5th grade, and still carried the magic of Christmas with him. I knew that his friends were questioning. There seemed to be lots of chatter during 4th grade—the last year of elementary school. He had so many questions and wanted factual responses from me. He was adamant … More How My 5th-Grader Became a Santa
By: Martianne Stanger ‘Tis the season to be gifting Fa la la la la la la la la Off’ring service is uplifting Fa la la la la la la la la New traditions to discover Fa la la la la la la la la Make some time to help another Fa la la la la … More 5 Ideas for Starting a Tradition of Service
By: Lauren Tankle We are in the home stretch of the Christmas season with one weekend left to get everything together. I was putting together some of the presents I’ll need for Christmas this week in an attempt to be less of a procrastinator than usual andavoid shopping this weekend. It’s only taken me … More Last Minute Gift Ideas
By: Lauren Tankle I volunteered this holiday season to organize and help distribute Christmas gifts to families in need. I was overwhelmed with the appreciation and relief I could see in the recipients when they chose the gifts for their children to open on Christmas morning. It made me so overjoyed to know that … More I Wish I Could Say I Did It On My Own
By: Kathy Trainor The holiday season is fast approaching! There are always SO many gifts to buy and often people think to send one to a teacher. As a teacher I never expect a gift, but I am so thankful when someone has thought of me. Most teachers often feel it is a waste, as we … More A Teacher’s Rant
Community Voices for Health 