www.insidehalton.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, December 8, 2017 | 6 EDITORIAL | OPINION ABOUT US M any ways to give As young children whisper to Santa their secret Christmas wishes, we should all remember the importance of giving -- and giving what someone wants. For many facing financial or emotional challenges, what they want may be the most precious gift, but one that doesn't cost a fortune. It may be the ability to provide their own children toys and other goodies under the tree on Christmas morning. It may be a soft stuffy to hold tight or a cozy pair of slippers that make someone feel special at a time they most feel like they're not as they seek refuge in a shelter from unhappiness in their own home over the holidays. It may be the opportunity of serving a holiday feast to their family -- as is illustrated in the scene featuring Bob Cratchit's Christmas feast in the Charles Dickens' classic, Scrooge. The holidays are for many a time of plenty -- decorations, lights, extravagances, food, gifts -- all shared with family and friends. A time to rejoice in our good fortune. Yet, there are many who don't share in that good fortune. Often, for these people, the holidays bring additional pres sure to provide the things they are struggling to provide in the first place -- extras for family members, a feast on the family table, a comfortable home. We can help give someone their most precious gift. We can help someone facing despair, feel special. We can help a parent give their child a Christmas morning surprise. We can help someone give their loved one a special gift. Kerr Street Mission (KSM) has the Christmas Wonders and Beyond program, which gives those in need the dignity of pro viding an ability to choose their own gifts for loved ones and to put the food their family likes on the table. As many struggle to keep jobs and pay bills, let's remember the most joy comes from sharing, giving, helping and that a gift does not need be shiny and bright or big and bold to be meaningful. If we each were to reflect on something that is precious to us, it would likely be a kind word or small gesture that comes to mind. Some of our most treasured belongings are a drawing from a child, a keepsake from a shared memory or a token of some one's esteem. This holiday, you don't have to give a lot to help. Give what you can, just don't be shy to reach out to connect with some one in need. You can do so through the Salvation Army, Kerr Street Mis sion, a local place of worship, Fare Share Food Bank, and many drives and collections. Oakville Firefighters are collect ing toys so that no child wakes up to nothing under the tree Christmas morning. So, too, are Halton police through their annual Toys for Tots campaign. And if you, too are struggling, you still have gifts to give. Reach out with friendship, a smile, a kind gesture. Whether fortunate or not, we are all in need of joy, hope and human connection, and these precious gifts are all within each of us to give one another. In sharing whatever we can, we can bestow some of the most precious gifts of all -- hope instead of despair, a smile instead of a tear, happiness instead of heartbreak, a hug instead of loneliness, a good meal instead of hunger, warmth instead of cold -- and by so giving, we will ourselves share in the joy of the season. B e a v e r. The Oakville Beaver, published every Thursday and Friday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 100 community publications across Ontario. View our digital edition online at: Insidehalton.com under Print Editions found in the footer. ·* m etrolandm edia * * Connected to your community* The Oakville Beaver is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the newspaper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca News Media Canada I M e d iasd ln fo Canada National NewsMediaCouncil LocalMedia editor@oakvillebeaver.com E @OakvilleBeav |__ | @oakvillebeaver ^ insidehalton.com MyView Stay safe and have fun this holiday season H alton continues to be one of the you safe on our roads. Before heading out, safest places to live in Canada. check the weather and make sure you have Halton Region provides programs, an emergency kit in your car so you're ready services and resources for individuals for and anything that may come your way. If families to make safe and healthy decisions. you're out with friends or plan to drink at a holiday party, please don't drink and drive Below are some tips and resources to but instead arrange for a safe ride home. help ensure you and your family have a safe Remember, impaired driving is a crime in and fun holiday. progress so if you see someone you suspect · Prepare for winter driving conditions may be impaired, call 911. and drive safely. Winter driving can be challenging for Visit halton.ca/beprepared to learn what everyone, but a little planning can keep to put in an emergency car kit and visit hal- Gary Carr Halton Region Chair ton.ca/drivesafe for safe driving tips. · Follow the four food safety tips. Gathering with family and friends over see Tips on p.7 w il l t u e r e b e DESIGNATED D R IV E R S 2 Pud by Steve Nease WHO WE ARE I 'm s u r e . r-A N D SO FTD R lt4K A N D COFFEE O P T IO N S ? THINGS SURE H AVE CHANGED SINCE I WAS m s AGE. St - P ro bably Fo r t h e BETTER. 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