This idea needs some advance planning unless you work really quick, ha. It's based on the traditional "Advent Calendar." Advent is the four week lead up to Christmas Day. An Advent Calendar is a picture of a Christmas scene with a closed "window" for each day in December. On December 1 the first window "1" is opened. If it's a paper calendar it reveals a scene. If it is a three dimensional Advent Calendar, of paper/cardboard, wood, etc. it is often shaped like a drawer and a small toy or candy can be found inside.
I always enjoyed one as a child and still do. It's a devotional item because traditionally the scene is of the Nativity and each door simply reveals more of the picture until the December 24 door shows the Baby Jesus and Holy Family around the manger. They are also nicely done traditional holiday scenes, such as Santa, or winter scenes and so forth. They are especially great for children to give them an enjoyable treat each day leading up to Christmas, helping them to wait for the big day, but also a way to remind them of "the reason for the season."
Well, I've always thought that making one's own Advent Calendar as an advance Christmas present would be a fun and terrific thing to do. All you need is one of those organizers with lots of drawers, such as found in art supply or home improvement stores. For example you can use a standing type with drawers as found in hardware section or flat organizers such as in arts and crafts (like what beading hobbyists use). It really depends on the number and size of drawers needed.
Suppose you have a friend who is an artist. Imagine what fun it would be to give him or her one of these Advent Calendars (you glue a picture on the front and number the drawers) and in each drawer you have a tube of paint or other small art supply. So your friend opens drawer "1" on Dec 1 and already gets a gift. Save the best gift for drawer "24" ha. You can see what I mean that this requires some thought and organizing to make it by Dec 1, but hey, whenever they receive it they can open all the doors up to that date :-)
What if you have a friend who collects, especially small items, like buttons, coins, badges? Again, you put an item that adds to their collection in each drawer.
You could give someone a charm bracelet by putting a charm in each drawer and the bracelet in the Dec 24 door. Likewise you can put friendship bracelets, wrist bands, backpack accessories, and so forth, one in each door.
Obviously this is great for children. They can have a small piece of age appropriate candy in each drawer for an inexpensive but exciting month long experience for them.
You can do this for Advent leading up to Christmas or the Days of Hanukkah!
The Catholic Bishops have an online Advent Calendar at their website www.usccb.org where you click on each door and have faith based ideas for activities, plus the Bible readings for the day. If you do a secular one with your child you might also want to have a printout of the religious Advent Calendar so you can remind your child why the holiday exists and the love of God.
Hallmark and other greeting card stores carry a few designs of the traditional Advent Calendars so do pick one up for yourself. They used to sell out rapidly but every year I see fewer people buying these and even knowing about them. It's such a small thing (having the paper calendar for one's self) but such a great treat each day.
Have fun with this, whatever level you are able to take it to!
Showing posts with label Hanukkah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hanukkah. Show all posts
Monday, November 30, 2009
Christmas/Hanukkah idea - 3
Do this right as you are thinking of it (!) If you keep a grocery shopping list, put a note to get double of one of your favorite items and give the second to a food bank. If you don't use a shopping list, especially you young people who don't do a regular housekeeping type shop, put a reminder on your mobile device, or hand written in your wallet with your money or your charge card, to remind yourself to buy double of what you are buying and give the second to a local food bank or pantry.
Here's what you need to remember: it's a favorite thing, a "special" thing for the holidays, but still a routine usable item. Too many people think of just buying canned goods like beans and soup for pantries. Those are great and don't stop doing them, but raise it up a notch recognizing the poor and disadvantaged like and miss the same items you do. The example I most use is coffee. Instead of a can of beans think how much a can of coffee would bring joy and help a poor family's budget (and watch for the sales, Wal Mart recently had a great price for large coffee and if I'd had money I'd have bought some for pantries). Check with your local pantry if you want to be sure of what they need (everything) and if they can take refrigerated items too but remember they tend to "ask down" also, afraid to ask for too many more costly or "frivolous" items.
Nothing is frivolous during Christmas and Hanukkah. For example, buy bagged candy that you like and get a second one for the pantry, cuz remember that kids in poor families or those who have lost their jobs etc will still love candy for the holidays that their parents can give them via these pantries.
This is a great way to keep pantries better stocked year around, if every time a person shops they buy two of one of their own items. But my focus is really on the holidays now where as those with funds are able to buy nice things for themselves, buy a second one of something you love and give it to a pantry or food bank. Start this week because this is the crunch time as pantries have to build up and dispense supplies throughout the month.
Here's what you need to remember: it's a favorite thing, a "special" thing for the holidays, but still a routine usable item. Too many people think of just buying canned goods like beans and soup for pantries. Those are great and don't stop doing them, but raise it up a notch recognizing the poor and disadvantaged like and miss the same items you do. The example I most use is coffee. Instead of a can of beans think how much a can of coffee would bring joy and help a poor family's budget (and watch for the sales, Wal Mart recently had a great price for large coffee and if I'd had money I'd have bought some for pantries). Check with your local pantry if you want to be sure of what they need (everything) and if they can take refrigerated items too but remember they tend to "ask down" also, afraid to ask for too many more costly or "frivolous" items.
Nothing is frivolous during Christmas and Hanukkah. For example, buy bagged candy that you like and get a second one for the pantry, cuz remember that kids in poor families or those who have lost their jobs etc will still love candy for the holidays that their parents can give them via these pantries.
This is a great way to keep pantries better stocked year around, if every time a person shops they buy two of one of their own items. But my focus is really on the holidays now where as those with funds are able to buy nice things for themselves, buy a second one of something you love and give it to a pantry or food bank. Start this week because this is the crunch time as pantries have to build up and dispense supplies throughout the month.
Christmas/Hanukkah ideas -2
Hi again, and this idea is also especially for you young people out there (hey! :-)
It's time to purchase, if you are using traditional mail, which you should in addition to ecards, your Christmas or Hanukkah greeting cards.
This year be sure to purchase or create at least one set of religious theme cards. Resist buying neutral arty or "season" cards alone, no matter how beautiful they are or how cute, or what worthy cause they support. Trust me, I understand and have bought many sets of "happy holidays" or other neutral cards because 1) they are pretty or artistic or support a good cause or 2) in politically correct times I've not wanted to "impose" a religious theme on some recipients.
Young people, these are urgent critical times and we must swing the pendulum back to the side of expressing the faith first and being safe or neutral second.
Here's the problem. Media, marketers, secularists and others with "agenda" have created an atmosphere where many are ashamed and abashed to actually send what would have been the most ordinary of cards (Merry Christmas and Nativity scenes, or a serious Hanukkah card) not that long ago (but seems like another eon). It's a lie to celebrate Christmas and deny the reality that it celebrates, which is the birth of Jesus Christ. If you believe then the time has come that you really have to make what would have been an ordinary action a few decades and now requires some boldness and thought, which is to send a religious theme card among your set of purchases.
It promotes, rather than diminishes, peace and comfort. I can testify that one of my favorite cards to receive each year was a Christmas theme card sent to me by a Muslim friend.
So when you purchase a "snail mail" card, select an ecard, and/or design and create your own cards, please put "the reason for the season" loud and proud in your selection and honor your faith. Don't worry about "offending" anyone; it is far more offensive to not care about genuine spiritual comfort and God based peace in the world.
Part two of this suggestion is to obtain names and addresses of military service men and women and be sure to get them some cards. I believe that a good place to start is finding out who is serving from your community, and/or is based near your community, as that will give them a touch of home. But also find names of those who don't get much mail, I seem to recall there are such sources, at least during the time of the beginning of the Iraq conflict I remember that we could find service people who would like to receive mail, especially if they didn't receive much from home. I personally know how much that means to service people. Also you can send cards to service people in Veterans hospitals and rehab centers. So parcel off a portion of your cards to send to those who just don't receive many cards and greetings and who need to be remembered.
Thanks for your Santa or Hanukkah bush help! ;-)
It's time to purchase, if you are using traditional mail, which you should in addition to ecards, your Christmas or Hanukkah greeting cards.
This year be sure to purchase or create at least one set of religious theme cards. Resist buying neutral arty or "season" cards alone, no matter how beautiful they are or how cute, or what worthy cause they support. Trust me, I understand and have bought many sets of "happy holidays" or other neutral cards because 1) they are pretty or artistic or support a good cause or 2) in politically correct times I've not wanted to "impose" a religious theme on some recipients.
Young people, these are urgent critical times and we must swing the pendulum back to the side of expressing the faith first and being safe or neutral second.
Here's the problem. Media, marketers, secularists and others with "agenda" have created an atmosphere where many are ashamed and abashed to actually send what would have been the most ordinary of cards (Merry Christmas and Nativity scenes, or a serious Hanukkah card) not that long ago (but seems like another eon). It's a lie to celebrate Christmas and deny the reality that it celebrates, which is the birth of Jesus Christ. If you believe then the time has come that you really have to make what would have been an ordinary action a few decades and now requires some boldness and thought, which is to send a religious theme card among your set of purchases.
It promotes, rather than diminishes, peace and comfort. I can testify that one of my favorite cards to receive each year was a Christmas theme card sent to me by a Muslim friend.
So when you purchase a "snail mail" card, select an ecard, and/or design and create your own cards, please put "the reason for the season" loud and proud in your selection and honor your faith. Don't worry about "offending" anyone; it is far more offensive to not care about genuine spiritual comfort and God based peace in the world.
Part two of this suggestion is to obtain names and addresses of military service men and women and be sure to get them some cards. I believe that a good place to start is finding out who is serving from your community, and/or is based near your community, as that will give them a touch of home. But also find names of those who don't get much mail, I seem to recall there are such sources, at least during the time of the beginning of the Iraq conflict I remember that we could find service people who would like to receive mail, especially if they didn't receive much from home. I personally know how much that means to service people. Also you can send cards to service people in Veterans hospitals and rehab centers. So parcel off a portion of your cards to send to those who just don't receive many cards and greetings and who need to be remembered.
Thanks for your Santa or Hanukkah bush help! ;-)
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Christmas/Hanukkah gift ideas-1
This gift idea is especially for young people (hi gang!) Do gooders and couch potatoes should also take note! :-)
We all know the importance of smoke/fire detectors. One obstacle to having the coverage every residence really needs is affording one (and keeping it in batteries, of course). But I have noticed that like all "should do's" money is not the only obstacle, but the ability and effort to actually take it out of the box and install it is the problem too. So here is my idea.
Young people, you've got inquiring minds and technology orientation. Get a smoke/fire detector and learn how it works and how to install it. Study it and become a smoke/fire detector wonk, ha. You can even find out if you can get free ones through fire departments and so forth or other similar programs. Once you are handy and nimble with knowing how it works, where it should be placed and how to install it, collect your tools and get a smoke/fire detector to install and find someone who needs one.
You can start in your own family, of course, checking on elderly, poorer or lazy relatives, ha. Even if they have one already you'll know after studying it if that's enough (probably not) and if it's in the right placement (maybe, maybe not). So one of your Christmas gifts could be the obtaining of the smoke/fire detector and its actual installation!
One of the biggest problems with safety gear is not only the obtaining of it (like infant car seats) but installing it.... getting the job done. A huge part of your gift is the installation and knowing how it works. So here's the second part of the idea. What if everyone who could afford a smoke/fire detector and had the ability to install it paired up with someone who needed one and gave and installed it for them? It's a good deed for those who need, including people you do not know.
Be safe in finding who needs such help, of course, by working through your church, local community groups, or other contacts who can pair you up with someone who needs it and where your help is welcome. Suppose you drive past a kind of rundown and poor looking house and wonder if they need one. That's a great community minded outreach, but check it out first by getting a referral and finding out, again through church, fire department, agency, boys and girls clubs, etc if anyone knows the person there and can give you a referral if it would be appropriate. I wish that times were not so weird as these where I have to give you this caution, but you know they are.
However, for every dodgy situation you must avoid, remember that there are many widows, single mothers, poor families, elderly who are unable to afford/get around/pay attention to this need, and there will be no shortage of places where good people need your help.
So that's my first idea this holiday season. And another reason I like it is, of course, that it is an active thing to do that builds a skill and is not just staring at the computer or vid screen.
Be cool and safe and have fun with this idea.
We all know the importance of smoke/fire detectors. One obstacle to having the coverage every residence really needs is affording one (and keeping it in batteries, of course). But I have noticed that like all "should do's" money is not the only obstacle, but the ability and effort to actually take it out of the box and install it is the problem too. So here is my idea.
Young people, you've got inquiring minds and technology orientation. Get a smoke/fire detector and learn how it works and how to install it. Study it and become a smoke/fire detector wonk, ha. You can even find out if you can get free ones through fire departments and so forth or other similar programs. Once you are handy and nimble with knowing how it works, where it should be placed and how to install it, collect your tools and get a smoke/fire detector to install and find someone who needs one.
You can start in your own family, of course, checking on elderly, poorer or lazy relatives, ha. Even if they have one already you'll know after studying it if that's enough (probably not) and if it's in the right placement (maybe, maybe not). So one of your Christmas gifts could be the obtaining of the smoke/fire detector and its actual installation!
One of the biggest problems with safety gear is not only the obtaining of it (like infant car seats) but installing it.... getting the job done. A huge part of your gift is the installation and knowing how it works. So here's the second part of the idea. What if everyone who could afford a smoke/fire detector and had the ability to install it paired up with someone who needed one and gave and installed it for them? It's a good deed for those who need, including people you do not know.
Be safe in finding who needs such help, of course, by working through your church, local community groups, or other contacts who can pair you up with someone who needs it and where your help is welcome. Suppose you drive past a kind of rundown and poor looking house and wonder if they need one. That's a great community minded outreach, but check it out first by getting a referral and finding out, again through church, fire department, agency, boys and girls clubs, etc if anyone knows the person there and can give you a referral if it would be appropriate. I wish that times were not so weird as these where I have to give you this caution, but you know they are.
However, for every dodgy situation you must avoid, remember that there are many widows, single mothers, poor families, elderly who are unable to afford/get around/pay attention to this need, and there will be no shortage of places where good people need your help.
So that's my first idea this holiday season. And another reason I like it is, of course, that it is an active thing to do that builds a skill and is not just staring at the computer or vid screen.
Be cool and safe and have fun with this idea.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
And another charity on my Christmas idea list
I have just donated $100 online to the USA arm of Caritas Internationale, Catholic Charities USA.
Catholic Charities/Caritas remains probably the most low key in terms of publicity and knowledge by the general public of all the charitable social services organizations in the world. As a result, few people realize that Catholic Charities is rated the TOP provider by Charity Navigator:
11/17 - Catholic Charities USA Named Top Provider of Social Services by Charity Navigator, Ranked #2 Overall in NonProfit Times Top 100
In 2007 Catholic Charities helped over 7,700,000 people! They report on their web site that they are already in the midst of helping people who are suffering in the mortgage crisis.
Do visit their site, find out more about what the quiet Catholics are really up to in following the steps of Jesus and ministering to the poor and those in need, and consider following my example and giving them or the international branches of Caritas a donation (I wrote about Caritas about a week ago regarding the crisis in Zimbabwe).
https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1174
There is an easy to use online donation page.
Also, if you are interested, you can learn what the Catholic Social doctrine and tradition is, as defined by the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops). Also, there are great prayer resources and personal seasonal reflections (such as each day of Advent) by Catholic Charities members.
Catholic Charities/Caritas remains probably the most low key in terms of publicity and knowledge by the general public of all the charitable social services organizations in the world. As a result, few people realize that Catholic Charities is rated the TOP provider by Charity Navigator:
11/17 - Catholic Charities USA Named Top Provider of Social Services by Charity Navigator, Ranked #2 Overall in NonProfit Times Top 100
In 2007 Catholic Charities helped over 7,700,000 people! They report on their web site that they are already in the midst of helping people who are suffering in the mortgage crisis.
Do visit their site, find out more about what the quiet Catholics are really up to in following the steps of Jesus and ministering to the poor and those in need, and consider following my example and giving them or the international branches of Caritas a donation (I wrote about Caritas about a week ago regarding the crisis in Zimbabwe).
https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1174
There is an easy to use online donation page.
Also, if you are interested, you can learn what the Catholic Social doctrine and tradition is, as defined by the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops). Also, there are great prayer resources and personal seasonal reflections (such as each day of Advent) by Catholic Charities members.
Next charity from my Christmas idea list
I have just donated $75 online to the Salvation Army. This is in addition to my usual adding of change and dollar bills to their collection buckets.
Folks, in this time of economic crisis, never forget what a debt the USA owes to the Salvation Army. They are one of my favorite organizations and I can tell you this personal story of why.
My father had a good friend who was a co-worker, who was a child in the 1920's-1930's, during the time of the Great Depression. This friend would always support the Salvation Army because he told us how as a child he would stand in the soup line when they were destitute and his only food came from the Salvation Army: they absolutely saved his life. I, in turn, since hearing that story during my childhood, have never forgotten them for their generosity during our country's great need, and in particular to my father's friend and his family. My father's friend, by the way, was an Irish Catholic (even an altar boy) and in those days no one asked for "special interest group" identification when the way of Jesus Christ was walked by those who serve him by serving their neighbors. Further, in a time when there was scandal around many charities at disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, the Salvation Army, so far as I can tell, has maintained exemplary morals and ethics, and responsibility for the charitable treasure that is placed in their hands.
Media reports that donations to the Salvation Army is also at a low, due to the economic crisis. Those who can still donate, do not forget them. They are one of the ones that will see people through such times.
www.salvationarmyusa.org
Folks, in this time of economic crisis, never forget what a debt the USA owes to the Salvation Army. They are one of my favorite organizations and I can tell you this personal story of why.
My father had a good friend who was a co-worker, who was a child in the 1920's-1930's, during the time of the Great Depression. This friend would always support the Salvation Army because he told us how as a child he would stand in the soup line when they were destitute and his only food came from the Salvation Army: they absolutely saved his life. I, in turn, since hearing that story during my childhood, have never forgotten them for their generosity during our country's great need, and in particular to my father's friend and his family. My father's friend, by the way, was an Irish Catholic (even an altar boy) and in those days no one asked for "special interest group" identification when the way of Jesus Christ was walked by those who serve him by serving their neighbors. Further, in a time when there was scandal around many charities at disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, the Salvation Army, so far as I can tell, has maintained exemplary morals and ethics, and responsibility for the charitable treasure that is placed in their hands.
Media reports that donations to the Salvation Army is also at a low, due to the economic crisis. Those who can still donate, do not forget them. They are one of the ones that will see people through such times.
www.salvationarmyusa.org
Another charity from my Christmas idea list
I have just donated $50 to an organization that I've supported with great pride for many years, Project Hope. Read this history to understand true American generosity and use of a Navy ship that is genuinely spiritual. So now I can add another charity reminder box under my tree.
www.projecthope.org
snip
Serving as a medical officer aboard a destroyer during World War II, Dr. William B. Walsh, M.D. was moved by the poor health conditions he saw in the South Pacific - particularly by the affliction and death of young children who could have been easily saved with the application of simple medical know-how. He envisioned a floating medical center that would bring health education and improved care to communities around the world.
In 1958, Dr. Walsh persuaded President Eisenhower to donate a U.S. Navy hospital ship, the U.S.S. Consolation. With $150, a dream, and the support of corporations and individuals, the ship was transformed into the S.S. HOPE, and the organization known as Project HOPE was born.
Over the next two years, the S.S. HOPE was refitted and equipped for its new role as a peace-time hospital ship. The call was put out for American doctors, nurses, and technologists to share their skills and knowledge with the people of developing nations - teaching while healing. For every American on board, there would be a counterpart to be trained.
Read more on their web site about their remarkable and generous medical contribution throughout the world.
I urge support for this very worthy organization; health care providers at their best.
www.projecthope.org
snip
Serving as a medical officer aboard a destroyer during World War II, Dr. William B. Walsh, M.D. was moved by the poor health conditions he saw in the South Pacific - particularly by the affliction and death of young children who could have been easily saved with the application of simple medical know-how. He envisioned a floating medical center that would bring health education and improved care to communities around the world.
In 1958, Dr. Walsh persuaded President Eisenhower to donate a U.S. Navy hospital ship, the U.S.S. Consolation. With $150, a dream, and the support of corporations and individuals, the ship was transformed into the S.S. HOPE, and the organization known as Project HOPE was born.
Over the next two years, the S.S. HOPE was refitted and equipped for its new role as a peace-time hospital ship. The call was put out for American doctors, nurses, and technologists to share their skills and knowledge with the people of developing nations - teaching while healing. For every American on board, there would be a counterpart to be trained.
Read more on their web site about their remarkable and generous medical contribution throughout the world.
I urge support for this very worthy organization; health care providers at their best.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Another Christmas idea follow-up
I have just made a $100 donation to SOAR! (Support Our Aging Religious). I am now working on decorative present box for under the tree using, appropriately, turquoise wrapping paper with Renaissance angels and "PEACE" in golden calligraphy.
We must think about two groups of people, especially during the holidays, the impoverished elderly and the retired religious who have dedicated their lives in service to God, the faithful and in selfless charitable service. Despite what many think that the Catholic Church is "rich," remember that our religious take vows of poverty which they maintain until their death. This is something that, honestly, non-Catholic Christians take into account, as worldly they must be, when they consider conversion to Catholicism. Their hearts may say "yes" but their wallets and family needs may say "no." So yes, the Catholic Church has an office of the aging that supports our retired religious, but we all know that basic needs are an ever increasing spiral, just as vocations have declined. Our religious retire to being cared for by other religious, which is why declined vocations are a double whammy for these elderly religious.
Here is information from their web site.
http://www.soar-usa.org/
SOAR! History made Possible by Concerned Lay People
Grim Economic Realities
The economic crisis facing elderly religious in the United States today, begun in the 1960s, is a result of the following realities:
the dramatic rise in the median age of religious due to a precipitous drop in younger members (the median age for religious in 2008 is 69.8 for women and 64.7 for men);
insufficient funds to care for elder members (many religious received modest stipends or no compensation and there were no provisions for retirement); and
the exponential rise in the cost of health care.
snip
The Economic Predicament
Most people are under the impression that the Catholic Church takes care of all those who sign up for religious life. Others believe that aging religious qualify for the same Social Security and disability benefits as everyone else. It is a distressing reality for many congregations that the average Social Security benefit for religious women and men is approximately one-third of that paid to the average U.S. beneficiary. As of December 31, 2006, the annual Social Security for religious averaged $4,290.08 while that of a U.S. beneficiary was $12,024.00.
Today, more than 37,870 religious men and women who taught in Catholic schools or worked at Catholic hospitals or charities have reached the age of 70 and require eldercare. More than 5,000 of these women and men require skilled nursing care. While costs for care in a skilled facility in the U.S. average more that $65,000 annually, religious congregations have kept their average cost of care to $49,850.
The gap has widened between assets available for retirement, the cost of living, and health care for elderly women and men religious from $2 billion in 1986 to $7.5 billion today. Based on 2006 data from the NRRO, the projected shortfall between funds needed and funds available is $7.5 billion. Combined Social Security benefits for all retired religious is projected to be $184 million per year in 2023, but the cost of care will total more than $1.6 billion annually.
Whatever your faith, please do not forget both the secular and religious elderly, those who are impoverished and often without family or any means of income.
We must think about two groups of people, especially during the holidays, the impoverished elderly and the retired religious who have dedicated their lives in service to God, the faithful and in selfless charitable service. Despite what many think that the Catholic Church is "rich," remember that our religious take vows of poverty which they maintain until their death. This is something that, honestly, non-Catholic Christians take into account, as worldly they must be, when they consider conversion to Catholicism. Their hearts may say "yes" but their wallets and family needs may say "no." So yes, the Catholic Church has an office of the aging that supports our retired religious, but we all know that basic needs are an ever increasing spiral, just as vocations have declined. Our religious retire to being cared for by other religious, which is why declined vocations are a double whammy for these elderly religious.
Here is information from their web site.
http://www.soar-usa.org/
SOAR! History made Possible by Concerned Lay People
Grim Economic Realities
The economic crisis facing elderly religious in the United States today, begun in the 1960s, is a result of the following realities:
the dramatic rise in the median age of religious due to a precipitous drop in younger members (the median age for religious in 2008 is 69.8 for women and 64.7 for men);
insufficient funds to care for elder members (many religious received modest stipends or no compensation and there were no provisions for retirement); and
the exponential rise in the cost of health care.
snip
The Economic Predicament
Most people are under the impression that the Catholic Church takes care of all those who sign up for religious life. Others believe that aging religious qualify for the same Social Security and disability benefits as everyone else. It is a distressing reality for many congregations that the average Social Security benefit for religious women and men is approximately one-third of that paid to the average U.S. beneficiary. As of December 31, 2006, the annual Social Security for religious averaged $4,290.08 while that of a U.S. beneficiary was $12,024.00.
Today, more than 37,870 religious men and women who taught in Catholic schools or worked at Catholic hospitals or charities have reached the age of 70 and require eldercare. More than 5,000 of these women and men require skilled nursing care. While costs for care in a skilled facility in the U.S. average more that $65,000 annually, religious congregations have kept their average cost of care to $49,850.
The gap has widened between assets available for retirement, the cost of living, and health care for elderly women and men religious from $2 billion in 1986 to $7.5 billion today. Based on 2006 data from the NRRO, the projected shortfall between funds needed and funds available is $7.5 billion. Combined Social Security benefits for all retired religious is projected to be $184 million per year in 2023, but the cost of care will total more than $1.6 billion annually.
Whatever your faith, please do not forget both the secular and religious elderly, those who are impoverished and often without family or any means of income.
More Christmas idea follow-up
It's hard to believe that Christmas is just over a week away, so I'm pushing forward with getting my charitable giving "presents" wrapped under the tree, and also making the donations that they represent.
I've just donated $50 to the United Negro College Fund. This was one of the first charities that I donated to, back in the 1980's when I was earning a good paycheck. It is one of the greatest causes that you can find, and donations made now can help these students already with their second semesters. Historically black colleges are one of our national treasures, in my opinion, as they deliver high quality education in personal "small town settings" (even when in a city) that many have come to realize is a positive and proactive educational environment. So I now have under the tree the reminder of my intention to make an annual Christmas donation, a maroon color holly decorated wrapped present decorated with an angel of color holding a dove, and will record this donation on the Santa Claus tag.
Read this description from their web site:
There are 105 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the nation. In 1965, in Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965, Congress officially defined an HBCU as, an institution whose principal missions were, and are the education of black Americans, was accredited, and was established before 1964. The first HBCU, Cheney University in Pennsylvania was founded in 1837. All HBCUs play a critical role in the American higher education system. For most of America’s history, African Americans who received a college education could only get it from an HBCU. Today, HBCUs remain one of the surest ways for an African American, or student of any race, to receive a high quality education.
While the 105 HBCUs represent just 3 percent of the nation’s institutions of higher learning, they graduate nearly one-quarter of African Americans who earn undergraduate degrees. HBCUs, because of their unique sensibility to the special needs of young African American minds, remain the institutions that demonstrate the most effective ability to graduate African American students who are poised to be competitive in the corporate, research, academic, governmental and military arenas.
UNCF supports minority students at many schools that are not HBCUs. However, UNCF directly supports 39 private HBCUs.
http://www.uncf.org/
I've just donated $50 to the United Negro College Fund. This was one of the first charities that I donated to, back in the 1980's when I was earning a good paycheck. It is one of the greatest causes that you can find, and donations made now can help these students already with their second semesters. Historically black colleges are one of our national treasures, in my opinion, as they deliver high quality education in personal "small town settings" (even when in a city) that many have come to realize is a positive and proactive educational environment. So I now have under the tree the reminder of my intention to make an annual Christmas donation, a maroon color holly decorated wrapped present decorated with an angel of color holding a dove, and will record this donation on the Santa Claus tag.
Read this description from their web site:
There are 105 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the nation. In 1965, in Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965, Congress officially defined an HBCU as, an institution whose principal missions were, and are the education of black Americans, was accredited, and was established before 1964. The first HBCU, Cheney University in Pennsylvania was founded in 1837. All HBCUs play a critical role in the American higher education system. For most of America’s history, African Americans who received a college education could only get it from an HBCU. Today, HBCUs remain one of the surest ways for an African American, or student of any race, to receive a high quality education.
While the 105 HBCUs represent just 3 percent of the nation’s institutions of higher learning, they graduate nearly one-quarter of African Americans who earn undergraduate degrees. HBCUs, because of their unique sensibility to the special needs of young African American minds, remain the institutions that demonstrate the most effective ability to graduate African American students who are poised to be competitive in the corporate, research, academic, governmental and military arenas.
UNCF supports minority students at many schools that are not HBCUs. However, UNCF directly supports 39 private HBCUs.
http://www.uncf.org/
Follow-up to spiritually meaningful Christmas idea
Well, today I wrapped and made payments for two of the charity "under the Christmas tree" presents, as I described in my first post about this idea.
I drove to the local wildlife refuge; there is a bird sanctuary in this town that is very important for the preservation of a species of beautiful crane. I put $20 in the cash donation jar and I bought just over $30 of merchandise from their gift shop. When I returned to the apartment I made a box for under the tree, decorated with black, white, silver and blue "bird" motif. I put on a Santa Claus tag and wrote on it the above donation information. Thus I will have this for easy reference next year, and to have a fond memory. This is my first donation to that particular wildlife refuge.
Local conservation efforts are very important, and they struggle to make ends meet, like all charities. Thus, if you can, I suggest that you select your nearest zoo, botanical garden, bird or wildlife sanctuary or national conservation area or wildlife refuge and put that on your regular Christmas or Hanukkah donation list. All conservation is ultimately local; if you cannot protect your local flora and fauna the overall situation of the world surely follows. Do not forget that much valuable work goes on in zoos and botanical gardens.
I then made a box for a Catholic school for impoverished Native American children. This is a charity that I have given to, on and off for over twenty years. During their fund raising they send free items, such as calendars, note paper, and so forth, and so I responded to their mail fund raising appeal, but I used their Internet site to make my $25 donation. I then used the little box that they had sent previous year's Christmas cards in, wrapping it with the gift wrap that was also in that set (angels) and also a photo from their appeal of one of the priests posing with students and their art work. I added my Santa Claus tag and recorded the donation amount on the back.
Catholic schools are unsung heroes, especially in the Dakotas where the poverty and despair among Native Americans is very bleak. Again, do consider contributing to a school in your faith, or otherwise, that is located in an area where they are providing residential education to impoverished and under served children. If you do not know of one, do consider another of my favorites (recently visited by First Lady Laura Bush) Boys and Girls Town.
So, I have two boxes wrapped and paid for under the tree with ????? more to go!?
I hope that you have found this idea of mine inspiring in your own family and among friends and colleagues.
I drove to the local wildlife refuge; there is a bird sanctuary in this town that is very important for the preservation of a species of beautiful crane. I put $20 in the cash donation jar and I bought just over $30 of merchandise from their gift shop. When I returned to the apartment I made a box for under the tree, decorated with black, white, silver and blue "bird" motif. I put on a Santa Claus tag and wrote on it the above donation information. Thus I will have this for easy reference next year, and to have a fond memory. This is my first donation to that particular wildlife refuge.
Local conservation efforts are very important, and they struggle to make ends meet, like all charities. Thus, if you can, I suggest that you select your nearest zoo, botanical garden, bird or wildlife sanctuary or national conservation area or wildlife refuge and put that on your regular Christmas or Hanukkah donation list. All conservation is ultimately local; if you cannot protect your local flora and fauna the overall situation of the world surely follows. Do not forget that much valuable work goes on in zoos and botanical gardens.
I then made a box for a Catholic school for impoverished Native American children. This is a charity that I have given to, on and off for over twenty years. During their fund raising they send free items, such as calendars, note paper, and so forth, and so I responded to their mail fund raising appeal, but I used their Internet site to make my $25 donation. I then used the little box that they had sent previous year's Christmas cards in, wrapping it with the gift wrap that was also in that set (angels) and also a photo from their appeal of one of the priests posing with students and their art work. I added my Santa Claus tag and recorded the donation amount on the back.
Catholic schools are unsung heroes, especially in the Dakotas where the poverty and despair among Native Americans is very bleak. Again, do consider contributing to a school in your faith, or otherwise, that is located in an area where they are providing residential education to impoverished and under served children. If you do not know of one, do consider another of my favorites (recently visited by First Lady Laura Bush) Boys and Girls Town.
So, I have two boxes wrapped and paid for under the tree with ????? more to go!?
I hope that you have found this idea of mine inspiring in your own family and among friends and colleagues.
Monday, December 15, 2008
One spiritually meaningful idea for Christmas
Many ask about how they can celebrate Christmas with both secular and more spiritual joy and meaningfulness. Here is an idea that I’ve just developed, and will do myself.
If you have a Christmas tree (or a Hanukkah bush, as I know many families with children will create), or a place where you put the presents that the family will receive, here is what I suggest that you add.
Decide on the several charities that you already or want to steadily donate money to each year. Many people give cash donations to charities around Christmas, before the end of year, both for charitable reasons of the season, and also so that the gifts are included as deductions in the closing year’s taxes. So you probably already have a list or, alternatively, you tend to reply to the more recent appeals that are mailed to you. Identify a core list that you intend to donate at least a small amount to each year at this time. I recently blogged about the Catholic charity Caritas, so let’s use that as an example; add to it the Salvation Army and let’s say a pet charity like the ASPCA.
Now, select an empty box for each charity, and place inside the box a slip of paper with the name of the charity written on it. Wrap the box and decorate it with bows and so forth, just as you would any other gift with one exception: you will be looking at that box year after year under your tree, so decorate it especially nicely. Then place a tag on the box, labeling the recipient as being the charity and the dollar amount that you intend at the very least amount to donate. Thus, one box would be tagged: “To Caritas, $25” for example. Every year you place this under your tree as a reminder to make the donation, but also to recognize that when you give alms or provide charity you are also giving a gift to yourself.
This will be especially meaningful and fun for families with children. This is one way that very young children can learn that at Christmas one gives a gift to people who are poor, and who do not have a tree or gifts of their own. Little children can learn to place the charity box presents under the tree, and watch then when mom or dad write the check or make the online donation. Children can learn to put an “X” on the tag and the written year when the gift has been made, and understand that this “gift” is on its way to the poor and other needy with good causes.
As children get older they may help to make the donation. As they receive an allowance or earn money through chores or part time jobs when they are of age, they can add their own “causes,” make their own boxes and tags and commitments under the tree.
This is a fun, attractive, easy to do and enduring way to make the Christmas and Hanukkah holidays more spiritually meaningful for the entire family (and for those who celebrate the holidays alone, what a nice way to have something that is also of good cheer for you under the tree). Decorating the box is fun for everyone too because, as I said, it is an enduring decoration, one that is not unwrapped and discarded year after year, but instead, viewed and enjoyed each year, with markings on the tags added that the donations were made year after year. And ha, we know there will always be some children who unwrap those presents and that's cool... that is why the slip of paper with the name of the charity is inside, just in case they do, so they learn that gifts take place even if there is an "empty box," that it is never truly empty if alms or charity have been given. You may even let your kids unwrap the charity boxes and then they can have the choice of new decoration for wrapping it for next year's gift box!
I hope that you like this suggestion!
If you have a Christmas tree (or a Hanukkah bush, as I know many families with children will create), or a place where you put the presents that the family will receive, here is what I suggest that you add.
Decide on the several charities that you already or want to steadily donate money to each year. Many people give cash donations to charities around Christmas, before the end of year, both for charitable reasons of the season, and also so that the gifts are included as deductions in the closing year’s taxes. So you probably already have a list or, alternatively, you tend to reply to the more recent appeals that are mailed to you. Identify a core list that you intend to donate at least a small amount to each year at this time. I recently blogged about the Catholic charity Caritas, so let’s use that as an example; add to it the Salvation Army and let’s say a pet charity like the ASPCA.
Now, select an empty box for each charity, and place inside the box a slip of paper with the name of the charity written on it. Wrap the box and decorate it with bows and so forth, just as you would any other gift with one exception: you will be looking at that box year after year under your tree, so decorate it especially nicely. Then place a tag on the box, labeling the recipient as being the charity and the dollar amount that you intend at the very least amount to donate. Thus, one box would be tagged: “To Caritas, $25” for example. Every year you place this under your tree as a reminder to make the donation, but also to recognize that when you give alms or provide charity you are also giving a gift to yourself.
This will be especially meaningful and fun for families with children. This is one way that very young children can learn that at Christmas one gives a gift to people who are poor, and who do not have a tree or gifts of their own. Little children can learn to place the charity box presents under the tree, and watch then when mom or dad write the check or make the online donation. Children can learn to put an “X” on the tag and the written year when the gift has been made, and understand that this “gift” is on its way to the poor and other needy with good causes.
As children get older they may help to make the donation. As they receive an allowance or earn money through chores or part time jobs when they are of age, they can add their own “causes,” make their own boxes and tags and commitments under the tree.
This is a fun, attractive, easy to do and enduring way to make the Christmas and Hanukkah holidays more spiritually meaningful for the entire family (and for those who celebrate the holidays alone, what a nice way to have something that is also of good cheer for you under the tree). Decorating the box is fun for everyone too because, as I said, it is an enduring decoration, one that is not unwrapped and discarded year after year, but instead, viewed and enjoyed each year, with markings on the tags added that the donations were made year after year. And ha, we know there will always be some children who unwrap those presents and that's cool... that is why the slip of paper with the name of the charity is inside, just in case they do, so they learn that gifts take place even if there is an "empty box," that it is never truly empty if alms or charity have been given. You may even let your kids unwrap the charity boxes and then they can have the choice of new decoration for wrapping it for next year's gift box!
I hope that you like this suggestion!
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