Pauls Ponderings - December 20

In my past couple of columns, as well in several columns I’ve written around this time of year in the past, I’ve grumbled and complained about a lot of the things that I feel are wrong about Christmas. Minor things such as the recalled toys, and major things such as the gross over commercialization of the holiday and the fact there are so many that forget about the true meaning of Christmas – to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
But, as Christmas gets closer and closer, I usually soften my stance, and began to appreciate the Christmas season really stands for. This change in attitude is brought about mainly by observing, and sometimes participating to a point, in a lot of the things that the wonderful people in our community do to ensure that those who, for one reason or another, find themselves in need have something to celebrate about during this most joyous time of the year.
There are many wonderful groups, organizations and individuals in our community who put for a lot of effort, time and money to see that those less fortunate are able to enjoy Christmas.
You have organizations such as the Salvation Army, Family Resource Centers and Youth Service Centers who coordinate the Angel Tree program that provides gifts, clothing and much more to hundreds of deserving families each year. They collect the donations from countless individuals, along with church groups, businesses and other organizations who buy the needed items and bring them in, then make sure they get to where they need to go.
You have the Jaycees, who for years and years have delivered food and fruit baskets, clothing and toys to families in need. Like the other organizations, the Jaycees work just about all year round collecting for the program.
You have the Mark Twain Shrine Club, which works with the school system and Wal-Mart and other sponsors to put on the Shop With a Shriner program for deserving children.
You have your many churches that have various types of programs and projects that help out their members, along with non-members, in a number of ways.
You have individuals who, anonymously, donate considerable sums to help out those in need. The list could go on and on, and I’m sure that I’ve missed mentioning more than one. If I did, I apologize in advance.
And, while they’re thought of more, and maybe even get more recognition, around this time of the year, the fact of the matter is that about all of these organizations, groups and/or individuals do the things they do year-around, not just once a year.
Over the years, I’ve said it many times, and I hope that I’ll be around to say it many more times. I don’t think you could go anywhere in the world and find a better, more caring group of people than those we have in Adair County. Like every place else, we might have our problems and our drawbacks, but I’m proud to call Adair County my home.
Merry Christmas  to everyone.