Tis the season to be helpful

To many of us, Thanksgiving drums up memories of Mom’s homemade stuffing, watching football with Dad and enjoying the company of family and loved ones. For the health and happiness of our loved ones, we are thankful.

What about those of us who are not so fortunate?

For some, simply being in good health is a reason to celebrate. Being alive to see another day is something to be thankful for. Feeding one’s children everyday is a reason to say thanks. Sleeping in a warm bed is a mercy.

From 2008-2009, joblessness increased more than 50 percent across the United States. Earlier this year, it was estimated that 25 percent of children will soon be living in poverty. The National Alliance to End Homelessness reported 656,000 homeless people living in the United States in 2009, 20,000 more than in 2008.

And with the way things are going, those numbers will most certainly climb before they fall.

One would like to think Coeur d’Alene is removed from those statistics, but that is simply not true. The State of Idaho releases what is called a Point-In-Time Count report that contains statistics relating to homelessness. It can be found at www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. According to this document, 2,199 people in Idaho were considered homeless as of January 2011. Kootenai County is a part of Region 1, which counted 559 people to be without homes.

These aren’t just statistics we’re talking about. These are people. Your neighbors. Friends. Coworkers. Family members.

One way of showing appreciation of life is to pay it forward. Do something for your fellow man and woman. So many opportunities become available around the holiday season. From donating to Coats For Kids to volunteering in a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving, we are all capable of lending a helping hand. One small act of kindness can really create a world of difference in someone’s life.

Thomas Merton, a 20th century American Catholic writer and social activist, said, “The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all these living beings, which are all part of one another, and all involved in one another.”

Human life is a web to which we are all connected, and what affects one person truly impacts all of us.

While we bask in the warm glow of our family love this Thanksgiving, let us not forget those who are less fortunate.