Dec 23, 2002 3 min read

As we hover around the winter solstice, with shortened days and nights that seem never ending, it is appropriate to draw a parallel and pause to think of our neighbors whose lives have been darkened by hardships. As Brownsville Mayor Norma Ryan reminds us in a guest commentary on today’s Opinion Page, illness or death of a breadwinner, abuse, loss of jobs can unexpectedly and adversely affect anyone. Mayor Ryan in November spent a night on her borough’s street to bring an awareness to her community that not everyone is homeless by choice. Too often we think, as Ryan initially did, that the homeless have brought this upon themselves, through addictions or just an unwillingness to find and hold a job.

We tend to ignore those with mental illnesses or those whose worlds have fallen apart and find themselves unprepared to navigate a new course. More often than not there is help available. Sometimes it’s just a matter of people not knowing where to turn. When they do find resources, it’s important that charities set up to help have the resources to carry out their missions.

As our other guest columnist Bill Milliken reminds us, charities sometimes fall under scrutiny, especially when donors discover that funds were misspent or were predominantly used to pay high salaries or raise additional funds. Since the massive outpouring of donations that followed Sept. 11, 2001, and subsequent reports that funds did not always go where the donors intended, charities have struggled this year. Milliken offers advice on how to evaluate and select a charitable organization.

The holiday season is when many organizations, such as the Salvation Army which is supported by the Herald-Standard’s Give-A-Christmas campaign, raise most of the money that they will use to aid those in need during the coming year. We had set a goal of $40,000 for this year and are just halfway there with the deadline of noon Monday fast approaching.

We have been touched by the generosity of so many of our readers who have worked so hard to raise money for our campaign or who have collected toys and coats for children who would go without for other campaigns or who have labored to make the season brighter for children suffering from serious illnesses.

We extend our sincere thanks to all who have given to our campaign and offer a gentle reminder that it’s not too late to make a difference by helping your neighbors.