Special New Year's Resolution by David Bancroft

While I am sure you have made several meaningful resolutions for 2006, I hope you will consider one more.

The idea I have in mind actually came about when friends of my wife and me sent us a Christmas card with a thoughtful, caring message with it . . . Both of us smiled with agreement upon reading their noble actions and decided that we will do a similar act for Christmas 2006 with them in mind.

What our friends did this past Christmas was make us aware that they were going to give money to charities that would benefit someone in need impacted by several of the major disasters that occurred last year . . . instead of sending us a Christmas gift.

Just imagine the smiles that this generous, unselfish act caused . . . and none more so if children were the ones who benefited from it.

So, I am asking that you do the same for Christmas or for one of your non-Christian major religious holidays in 2006 and going forward. You might have several friends and even family members who might want to reciprocate. (I even suggest you discuss this idea with them well before the time to purchase gifts occurs.)

Of course, you can still do both . . . give gifts and matching the monetary value to charities that are assisting those impacted in disasters for the current year. The key is to give at least the amount you intended to spend as a gift and reminding the friend(s) during the gift giving time.

Moreover, you can start now, especially if you want to match monetary value of gift(s) to be given.  Hmmm . . . What about adding spare change into a special charity container for disaster victims?  You might even be able to have enough to match several gifts when the intent was for only one.

One more thing... read They Are There . . . as I believe there are many more so very near to what is meant by these special words from me.

Wishing you and your loved ones a healthy, successful, and happy 2006!

David Bancroft
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