Let's extend the season of giving

During the holiday season, there always is a special awareness and empathy for people in need that resonates in a powerful message — suburbanites are surrounded by opportunities in this season of giving to help those who are less fortunate and they respond with gusto.

Community organizations and schools are among the institutions that put a special emphasis on collecting food for local pantries to provide meals.

There are drives to collect coats, shoes, mittens and other articles of clothing to provide warmth.

You drop coins — sometimes even gold ones — into Salvation Army kettles, write checks to a host of charities and buy toys for needy children so they will have gifts to open on Christmas.

These are selfless acts of charity that many people weave into the holiday fabric every year. In itself, that tradition is a beautiful gift.

But what bears remembering is the need is not seasonal. Consider this a call to reach out and continue giving long after the decorations are put in storage.

A sobering reminder of how serious and long-term that need is came in a story by Daily Herald staff writers Russell Lissau and Mick Zawislak who reported that area homeless shelters are seeing the extended economic crisis continuing to exact a heavy toll on our neighbors.

In particular, and most disturbing, it is affecting children and families who have exhausted their savings amid unemployment and home foreclosures.

A growing number have nowhere else to turn and are seeking shelter.

The numbers of children seeking beds at shelters run by DuPage PADS is up 65 percent over the past two years. At Lazarus House in St. Charles, the figure is up a staggering 143 percent from a year ago.

“You have people coming to your door really paralyzed, not knowing where to turn,” said Beth Nabors, executive director of the Palatine-based Journeys from PADS to Hope group.

The story is the same across the suburbs, and it is one that doesn't begin and end with the Christmas holiday season.

However, most of the same opportunities to help that exist during the holidays are also available the rest of the year.

Food pantries, homeless shelters, clothing drives are among the venues that will be in need of your treasure, time and talent in 2011.

So, as you put the finishing touches on your charitable work for the holidays, think about what it would take to extend that effort into the new year.

Wouldn't it be great to have the satisfaction of knowing you helped make life a little better for someone less fortunate throughout the year?