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Give, it is this season's true calling

Now the grand meal is over and the focus immediately turns to the shopping. And to the lights. And to the wrapping. And to all those trimmings.

Before the harried hysteria of the next holiday season consumes us, let's stop and reflect for one more moment. Maybe you did that yesterday. Maybe you looked around the house, or table, and you thought or prayed or gave thanks for all for which you are grateful.

Maybe you also thought about what a rough, raw few years it's been. If you ate with family members or friends who numbered ten or more, chances are too good that one or more of you was, or is, out of work. More of us are struggling in our suburbs than has been the case in a long, long, long time. And so we implore those of us who are still blessed with the ability to pay our bills, to stock the fridge, to put presents under a tree, to launch this season of giving with a healthy dose of sacrifice.

Take time in the next few days, to make things a bit easier for our suburban friends and neighbors and strangers in trouble.

Give of yourself, your time, your money. Give until it hurts. And then give just a bit more.

We don't want to tell you whom to help or how to give, but we do strongly encourage you to help those close to home here in the suburbs.

All of our local food pantries and homeless shelters need help. All of our not-for-profit social service agencies are struggling as they face state budget shortfalls and decreases in charitable giving because of this recession.

There is no shortage of examples.

A few weeks ago, we reported that Arlington Heights-based Clearbrook, which helps care for developmentally disabled adults and children, was merging with a similar Chicago group to try to withstand the economic storms. Clearbrook President Carl La Mell said state grants had dropped 20 percent in the past two years while corporate donations dropped 60 percent.

That same day, we reported that Elgin area agencies were bracing for funding cuts from the city and the Elgin casino which has shared some of its profits with those agencies since it opened. Those hurting are groups that provide toys to needy children, homeless shelters, addiction treatment programs, senior citizen services, domestic violence shelters and all manner of groups that enrich our suburban culture.

You can and should do a bit of checking on the organization you seek to help at guidestar.org or charitynavigator.org or charitywatch.org. Experts suggest you look for groups that aim to spend 75 percent of its budget on programs rather than fundraising or overhead. Look for positive assets in a group's IRS Form 990 on these Web sites. Look for an "unqualified" rating from an auditor in a group's annual report, experts say.

Just don't let a little homework stop you. The need is too great. It's all around us. Now is the season for giving. Give beyond your own family and friends and, truly, the reward will be yours.