The holiday season is now in full swing. Shopping areas are packed as residents attempt to fill their bags with items to fit beneath the tree. Supermarkets also are jammed full of people, hurriedly racing down the aisles, filling up their cart with the yearly supply of family favorites. And, around town people are bundling up, walking swiftly, forgoing their typical smiles and greetings as they race for the warmth of their cars and homes.
But thankfully there are still people who are taking time from the race and are counting down the days in a different manner. Samantha Robertson realized during her time volunteering at the Prebele Street Resource Center that many people don't have those cars – or homes – to escape winter's cool breath. The teenager decided to host a clothing drive in the hopes that the many people who wait in line for a warm meal will also have a warm body.
Rotary volunteers will once again spend their time in the cold as they set up shop for the 45th annual Christmas tree sale fundraiser. Money from the trees sold at Mill Creek Park in South Portland will benefit community causes throughout South Portland and Cape Elizabeth. And Southern Maine Community College VISTA volunteer Katie Clark has been spending her days encouraging residents to spend some of their holiday cheer on those less fortunate by supporting the Alternative Gift Market.
Take a moment from that hectic schedule and dig through your closets to donate to Robertson's clothing drive, pick out an early gift to your famliy with a tree for the living room, or purchase a gift for a family you don't know and will never meet.
There are countless other people and organizations who are working to ensure that everyone has a happy holiday season this year – but there are always more donations and volunteers needed to make sure we inch closer to that ultimate goal.