Published: November 30, 2009 09:25 am      

Announce your Christmas events

Now’s the time to get your Christmas events in to me!

By Bobbie Poynter / Community Editor

Yes, it’s that time of year and you’re busy practicing for your Christmas Cantata, play, live Nativity, concert, benefit, bazaar, singing, fund raiser or festival. And you want as many people to come to your event as possible. Let us help you get the word out.

Last December we dedicated the whole front page of Neighbors to the Sights and Sounds of Christmas. Trouble is, we didn’t think about it soon enough.

This year I’m giving you plenty of time to get your event in to me. If you’re having a play, send me a picture of a particular scene so everyone can get a good idea of what it’s all about. You can even send me a picture of your choir. Remember, a picture’s worth a thousand words.

Don’t have a picture? That’s OK too. I’ll list every event that’s sent to me, the more the merrier.

The Sights and Sounds issue will be Saturday, Dec. 12, so I need everything by Monday, Dec. 7. Don’t be left off the list!

E-mail your event and photos to newsroom@thetimestribune.com, or drop it off at the office. Be sure you leave a contact phone number. I may need it.

Now on to something near and dear to my heart.

I so love Christmas and everything it stands for. There so much to do, so much to see, and so many things you can find to do to help your fellow man.

And you don’t need a bunch of money in order to do something good for your neighbors and community. In fact, you don’t have to have any money at all.

Perhaps you’ve joined the many families who are receiving help this year. That’s OK. The flagging economy has hurt everyone, so no one is judging.

But that doesn’t mean you’re totally helpless and can’t pitch in and help. You can help an organization wrap gifts (bring your own scissors), you can help deliver food baskets, you can load or unload a truck of turkeys or food, or you can sign up for a free community dinner and offer your services in setting the tables or help cook the food. EVERYONE needs help this time of year, even those who are trying so hard to help others.

A couple of years ago my mom and I were unable to make the trip to Indiana to be with family for Thanksgiving, so we signed up for the free community Thanksgiving dinner at The Lion’s Den at the Mountain View Lodge. However, we didn’t just show up and eat. We, along with many other people, showed up hours early and pitched in to help cook, set the tables, and lay out the banquet.

Little kids pitched in to set out cups and silverware. Single parents brought their kids with them to help out and have some fun. We ran into several people from our church. Oh, and there was the family who had the exchange student with them. They wanted to show her not only a traditional Thanksgiving meal, but the camaraderie and fellowship of strangers when they get together for a common cause.

I just found out they’re doing it again this year.

Think about it. You’ll feel so much less helpless in the end. Believe me, those who are trying to help others also need all the help they can get.

Start a new family tradition. Don’t just help yourself. Help someone help someone else.