The Social Services Committee has put together this catalogue in hopes of encouraging you to take some of the materialism out of your Christmas celebration and to put the emphasis back on the real reason for celebration.  As you make your annual shopping list, consider making a contribution to one of the causes/organizations that you’ll find listed on the following pages.  Instead of wrapping up another sweater or tie or scouring the aisles for the latest fad, give your loved one, your friend, your child’s teacher, your gift exchange partner at work, your children, your parents or your spouse a card telling them that you have made a donation in their name in honor of the Christ Child.  Just follow the simple instructions on page six of this booklet to let them know that you have honored them by helping someone whose needs are great.  We’re not suggesting that you do not buy any material gifts, but wouldn’t it be amazing if we all spent half of our holiday budget on helping those who are in need?  As Jesus said in Matthew 24:40 “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers or sisters of Mine, even to the least of them,  you did it to me.”
“Live simply so that others may simply live.”
-Mahatma Ghandi