Making the giving season a year-round thing

For years at about this time of year, the Cheney Free Press has encouraged readers to make sure to do what they can to help those in the West Plains community who might be in search of food, gifts for Christmas and any number of other needs.

There are always many more in need than the available resources can serve.

Recently, a number of staff members have led by example by working with different programs such as Cheney Outreach and Toys for Tots; just two of untold numbers of examples of those who try to lend a helping hand.

And it is these, and other causes that are near and dear to us at the CFP, which not only got us thinking, but wanting to be doing as well.

That got us talking about how we might serve as the motor to power a program of giving and volunteerism aimed at the West Plains that goes well beyond the focal point of yearly charity giving — the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

We often hear, “need knows no season,” and those are not just cleverly strung together words. While many of us sit in our warm homes, are well fed, and can enjoy the fruits of our labor in any number of ways, there are those who cannot.

Like the residents who lined up in bone-chilling Arctic cold a good 16 hours before doors opened for the annual distribution of Cheney Outreach’s numerous collections of gifts and other necessities Dec. 16.

Those of us who saw — or have in the past — seen the joy first-hand created by this longtime Cheney tradition are compelled to do more. And that’s why we have hatched a plan to extend the “giving season” to a full year.

While it remains a work-in-progress, and open to thoughts, ideas and input from others, the Cheney Free Press’s “12 Months of Christmas” program is an initiative that we plan to spearhead throughout 2017, and beyond.

Sure, we know that Christmas might not be a term which fits everyone’s beliefs. What we are confident about is that it’s a good way to remind everyone to be thinking of others when giving might not be tops on our to-do list.

To get the giving ball rolling, the Free Press’s personal stake began on payday earlier this week. It is the goal for all 20 employees to donate a minimum of $5 per paycheck and hopefully more.

At the end of 2017, our staff will have likely raised in excess of $2,600, the first chunk of which in January, will be donated to Cheney Outreach’s heating assistance fund. From there, who knows?

What we hope to accomplish is to not only personally contribute to the needs of the less fortunate, but to engage other businesses and institutions to follow our lead. There are plenty of folks out there, both bigger and smaller than us, who we challenge to get out the bucket, the jar, or whatever, and slide a few bills or drop some coins inside and see what happens.

The Free Press will be glad to promote all of our efforts in print and online. And just as we’ve been your source for news of all things West Plains going on 120 years, we will be most happy to be where you turn to find the deserving recipient — if that should be any problem at all.

Finally, this effort goes beyond simply raising money. We also want to be the place where those who wish to volunteer time to do so. College fraternities, sororities, high school clubs and scout groups are always in need of service projects and we can help you find those who can use your time.

Let’s make the giving season a year-round thing.

LET US KNOW

Do you have a charitable cause in need of either monetary of volunteer support? Drop us an email with details to: [email protected] or call 509-235-6184 and ask for Paul, Harlan or any member of the editorial staff and we will try to help spread the word during the “12 Months of Christmas.”