Give the Gift of Happiness

This holiday season, amid the hustle and bustle of shopping, traveling, fine food and lavish parties, you may see a number of men and women ‘celebrating’ this time of year on a street corner or an intersection. They’ll be holding a cardboard sign in their hands, usually with words about being homeless, jobless or hungry.

While many of these folks are just panhandling and are not truly down and out, it is not our place to pass judgment or look down our noses at them. We should be filled with compassion and express basic human kindness to them even if we don’t agree with what they are doing.

Of course, you’re not required to offer your pocket change or give them a dollar (unless you want to). What you can offer is free and easy: eye contact, a small wave and a smile. That small gesture can mean the world to someone who is ignored, honked at, dismissed and generally disliked by the thousands of people who pass them every day.

We encourage you to ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you‘ this holiday season. Be the light in someone’s life, if even for a brief and passing moment. The warmth and appreciation a stranger may receive from your moment of kindness and recognition may mean the world to them. We believe that Happiness Starts with a Smile and your smile to a stranger can bring untold happiness.

If you are moved to help those who are truly in need, consider making a donation to the Star of Hope. We are accepting donations for the nearly 1,200 men, women and children who will be calling the Star of Hope Mission their home on Christmas Day.

We will be accepting donations at our office through Dec 19. Some items needed are: diaper bags, footballs, soccer balls, watches, alarm clocks, clock radios, Bibles, Christian books (fiction and non-fiction), journals, daily planners, flashlights with batteries, umbrellas, blankets, etc.

For more accepted donations, please visit:
http://www.sohmission.org/christmas-needs