United Way of South Niagara Blog

Give the gift of change this Christmas

By Dolores Fabiano
Monday, October 29, 2012

As a mom I’ve struggled with the age-old dilemma of finding a suitable Christmas gift for my children’s teachers.The days of a shiny red apple placed on the corner of the desk are, for the most part, over but kids do still like to acknowledge their teacher at Christmas. Especially if everyone else is going to be doing it.
The dilemma, of course, is whether to give a gift at all and, if so, what?
When they begin to understand the idea of Christmas and giving to others, kids love to give gifts.
They enjoy the smiles and thank you they receive and they seem to get a kick out of knowing an adult is pleased with something they have picked out to give.
It’s through this enjoyment of giving that they begin to learn the importance of giving to others — not just at Christmas but all year long.
I can also understand the teachers who dread the never ending flow of Christmas gifts to their desk.
I’m sure they are all wonderful expressions of a child’s Christmas spirit. I’m also sure they are often items the teacher doesn’t really need or already has a million of, depending on how long they’ve been teaching.
So, your child wants to give and you want to foster that love of giving but you don’t want the teacher to dread yet another Christmas knick knack.
I get it. That’s why I was so excited by United Way South Niagara’s new holiday campaign.
It’s brilliant and solves the problem of what to get the teacher, not to mention the day-care provider, co-workers, your boss, the hostess of a holiday party, or anyone else on your list that you have no idea what to give.
Simply make a donation to United Way of South Niagara in the name of someone on your list and receive a beautiful holiday card from UWSN telling that person a donation has been made in their name.
It couldn’t be easier.
Going back to my teacher situation, the kids not only get to give a gift — they get to do so by pointing out how much their teacher has helped them be all they can be — and explain the donation in their name to the UWSN helps the United Way help agencies who help kids and families be all they can be — one of our three priority areas.
Have someone on your list that is a “social junkie” and believes in helping community? Let them help by making a donation in their name.
Know someone who has been helped? Recognize that by making a donation for them.
Is there someone in your life who helps you? Recognize their gift of giving by giving to the community.
The ways to give United Way of South Niagara holiday cards abound, and the help they provide to this community is endless.
The best part, aside from giving a unique and personal gift to both someone on your list and the community as a whole, is you get a tax receipt with just a $20 donation.
Cards are available through the UWSN office, at Seaway Mall; as well as through Seaway Mall’s customer service booth in the month of December; and at the UWSN gift wrapping booth in the mall over the holiday season.
Happy giving.

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