December 1, 2010

AS I SEE IT

By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor

No one can deny that there is magic in the air during the Christmas season.
For most families, the month of December is all about getting ready for Christmas. Whether it is festively decorating homes with a Christmas tree and lights, visiting stores that are filled with all kinds of wonderful gift ideas, or gathering with family and friends, there is no other holiday that seems to bring out more smiles and the exchanging of good wishes.
There is no doubt that Christmas is a very special time of the year. It is a time of the year when our hearts are filled with joy and gladness. We should be enjoying all that is so very special about the Christmas season - the birth of Jesus, the shopping for gifts for everyone on our gift list, taking in all of the Christmas programs and taking part in holiday parties and enjoying the company of family and friends.
After all, that is the way that Christmas is supposed to be. A time of excitement and time of good cheer. And maybe it’s a time when we all splurge just a little too much when it comes to buying presents to put under the Christmas Tree for our loved ones.
And, right or wrong, for most of us that is the way that Christmas has always been and we hope will always be.
But unfortunately, that is not the way that some families in McKenzie County will be spending their Christmas. For them, this Christmas, like so many other past Christmases isn’t going to be as merry as they would like it to be. For some children, there won’t be that “special” present under the Christmas tree this year. And maybe for some families, their Christmas supper will be nothing special.
Maybe for many of us it is hard to imagine a Christmas without presents or sitting down to a wonderful holiday meal. But the hard reality is that there are those in McKenzie County that won’t have a very bright Christmas season this year.
But it doesn’t have to be that way thanks to the efforts of the McKenzie County Social Services, which is once again sponsoring the Giving Tree, as well as managing the area Food Pantry.
And that is where we can all step in and help out those who are less fortunate than us this holiday season. By opening our hearts and our wallets we can spread the magic of Christmas across the county.
If you would like to donate to the Food Pantry or provide a gift for a child or an adult, donate money to help purchase gifts or meals for someone less fortunate than yourself, or if you know someone who may need help, please call the Social Services office at 444-3661.
Let’s do our part to help make this Christmas season a magical time for everyone. After all, sharing is what Christmas is all about.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER