We're far enough into the new year now to say: the holidays are officially over.
Heaven knows, with so much rainy winter ahead of us, we could use a little bit more of the twinkle and celebration that comes with Christmas and New Year's.
Even more, we could use a renewed dose of holiday spirit in our community.
Each year, as we deck the halls and feast with friends, we're encouraged to spread that cheer around a little in the form of donations to the assorted organizations that help out in our community, from those that assist homeless individuals to those that raise funds here to help others around the world.
And, in the season of goodwill towards men, many of us do open our hearts a little bit more and dig a little bit deeper.
Giving comes a little more easily to us during the holidays, it seems.
And then comes January.
It's grey. It's cold. There's a long way to go till the next holiday. And, most discouraging of all, many of us wake up in the days after New Year's feeling like we've drank too much, eaten too much and most definitely spent too much.
As the bills begin to arrive, there's further proof that our "goodwill" may have gotten us a bit deeper.
In our last edition, the words in this space focused on attending to those piles of personal debt so many Canadians have built up.
And yet, there is one category in which we'd encourage you keep the coffers open: charitable giving.
As we all feel the post-holiday hangover, many organizations feel the post-holiday pinch as donations dry up and the giving spirit dissipates.
Unfortunately, the need in the community, the country and the world does not disappear with the chipped trees and the recycled wrapping paper.
When you can, where you can, however you can: keep helping.
