Column: Ready, set, give

By Dan Kontos

Thanksgiving is now comfortably in the rearview mirror. I hope yours was blessed with family, friends, and football.

Alright, you think of three things that start with an F. 

Anyway, with November rapidly coming to a close, we can now turn our sights towards the Christmas holiday season. This means that people should now be allowed to put up Christmas decorations, stores should now be permitted to play Christmas music, and television stations can now start to show Christmas movies, like Die Hard, Home Alone, and whatever they play on the Hallmark Channel.

The holidays are best spent with those you love, but sometimes love is not enough.

I want to challenge everyone who is fortunate enough in their lives to have a little extra to consider those less well-off than you. How about ramping up your giving this year?

Too many in our community struggle during this time of year. Some find it hard to provide basic necessities for themselves and their families. Some have been met with a personal tragedy. Some just want to be able to give a little something to their children as an act of love.

It’s been reported that charitable giving in the United States has been declining over time. The percentage of households donating has dropped from over 66% in 2000, to 55% in 2014, to 47% in 2020.

There are so many opportunities for us to give, even just a little bit, but we often overlook them. Mr. Brews Taphouse in Plover has been quietly collecting donations for Operation Bootstrap, and has collected over $6,000 so far, as they try and top last year’s haul of over $8,000. Area fire departments partner together to run Operation Warm, where a $25 donation will provide a new winter coat to area kids in need, while area law enforcement agencies offer the Shop-with-a-cop Program. Don’t forget to give a little in those Salvation Army red kettles.

The United Way, Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Meals on Wheels, the Interfaith Food Pantry, Nobel Community Clinics, the Veterans Relief Fund, and so many churches in the area are all looking to help those in need.

Giving doesn’t always mean donating money. Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin accepts donations of gently used items, which helps provide housing and employment support for people with disabilities and other barriers. Central Wisconsin Habitat for Humanity accepts donations of building materials. The Aging and Disability Resource Center loans medical-related items to residents at no charge and welcomes donations of equipment.

Sometimes, just giving of your spare time can really mean a lot as well. We all have something to give, and Christmas is a great time to remember that. There are so many places to give, I haven’t even scratched the surface. Go, look, research, and give.

Speaking of research, don’t forget to do your due diligence and make sure your donations will be effective and go where you want them to go.  Sites like CharityWatch, GiveWell, Charity Navigator, GuideStar, and BBB Wise Giving Alliance can help make sure your gift is well spent.

I like to give locally, but there are fantastic national opportunities as well, like the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Shriners Children’s, Feeding America, Samaritan’s Purse, American Red Cross, Make a Wish Foundation, Wounded Warrior Foundation, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and the list goes on and on. Get the point?

God gave us the gift of salvation and his son, the Baby Jesus. The least we can do is spread the joy this Christmas.

So, with that, let’s meet in the opinion section to talk about all of it, with cheer, a sense of holiday spirit, with an appreciation for all who help the poor and others in need, and with a healthy respect for each other. Until then, remember that God loves you, and so do I. Now, go give!