FRANKFORT, Ky. – Christmas is about giving. There would not be a Christmas, after all, if the Gift that God sent to the world about 2,000 years ago in a little town called Bethlehem had never arrived.

So where does that leave the hundreds of thousands of unemployed Americans and thousands of Kentucky jobseekers whose families will likely see little under the tree this year?  Many family gift giving traditions will have to change as people limit gift spending, change holiday travel plans or even limit what they give to charity. And let me tell you, charities are feeling the pinch.

Many charities across the country are reporting either a slowdown in donations or a higher demand for services, like food, as they get caught in the recessionary spiral. The Giving USA Foundation, which researches and publishes information about charitable giving, said last month that 93 percent of charities report feeling the effects of the current economic downturn. Some sources say that charitable giving is not expected to reach pre-recession levels until 2012.

One charity that is feeling the pinch of the economy is The Salvation Army, which reportedly has some of the lowest operating costs of any charity. But even thrift cannot take away the sting of what some Salvation Army officials say is a 60 percent increase in demand for the organization’s services in the past year. I am sure the same can be said for charities large and small across this country and across Kentucky.

Those who have lost their jobs, are afraid they might, or who are already over budgeted with mortgages and other debt obligations might not be able to give much this year. But for those of us who are fairly secure financially and are able to give, we should—right away. Philanthropy can mean life itself for those at need this holiday season and throughout these tough economic times.

If you celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday as I do, then you know very well the phrase “Jesus is the reason for the season.” Without Christ, there would be no Christmas. He was the first and greatest gift of all. Yet Christ made it clear in his teachings that we are here to help those in need, even at great costs to ourselves.

Now is the time to help.

Listed below are some local organizations that always need either your financial gifts or your time and talents. You may have another group in mind, but if you are interested in any of the groups listed here I encourage you to call them at the numbers listed:

 

Sandy Valley Habitat

For Humanity

137 Main Street

Pikeville, KY 41501

Phone: (606) 437-4011

 

United Way of Eastern Kentucky

508 Walnut Avenue

Paintsville, KY 41240

Phone: (606) 789-5632

 

Big Brothers & Big Sisters

1505 Carter Avenue

Ashland, KY 41101

Phone: (606) 329-8799

 

American Red Cross

113 S. Central Avenue, #202

Prestonsburg, KY 41653

Phone:  (606)-886-8330

 

The Salvation Army

332 Main Street

Paintsville, KY  41240

Phone: (606)-788-8794

 

My Christmas wish for you and your family this year is twofold: That you will have an enjoyable holiday and a healthy and prosperous new year, and that you will give back some of all you have been given. Merry Christmas to all.