OuView: Be generous to those in need during holidays

Giving back – we hear these familiar words often, especially during the holidays.
This holiday season, we encourage you to live out those words by giving what you can.
In Lancaster County, the opportunities to help others are endless. Take your pick because there are several ways you can help someone less fortunate.
What about the Angel Tree? Often during this time of year with its hectic schedule, you might be dining out at an area restaurant. If so, look for an Angel Tree. Look over the tree and find a way to make a difference for a child. Find a card, take one and provide an age-appropriate gift for the child. This act of kindness is a great way for a family to show a child the true meaning of Christmas.
The Angel Tree is handled through Christian Services and Marcine Bufford, who assists with the program. She can recall a time when her family was on the tree, but with the power of prayer and improved health, Bufford is now making a difference for other families.
HOPE in Lancaster, which supports families with food and help with utility bills and rent, has kicked off the annual Ward Faulkenberry Christmas Basket Fund. Through community donations, this program provides food vouchers to those in need.
HOPE has also initiated a “$1 challenge” campaign. Director Elaine Adkins suggests that you forego that soft drink or snack and instead donate the money to boost HOPE, a charitable organization that supports families with food and funds for utility bills and rent. Those small sacrifices might not seem like much, but when they are done by a group of people, it makes an impact.
You could also donate the money that would have been used for an office or Sunday school holiday party to HOPE or have a challenge between departments at work to raise money for HOPE.
There are those in need all across the county – from Indian Land to Heath Springs.
Those in need of food in Indian Land can go to the food pantry at Belair United Methodist Church.
Those in the Kershaw and Heath Springs area can participate by helping KARE – Kershaw Area Resource Exchange. KARE,  like HOPE, reaches out to those in need. It  assists with clothes, crisis assistance, food and other giving programs in the south end of our county.
Each of theses is a worthy cause to help those who might otherwise go without. The opportunities are endless to help, so step up and reach out to make a difference.
We realize money is tight for may of us this time of year, but donations don’t always have to be monetary. Try giving your time, if you have nothing else.
Any donation, no matter how big or small, will be greatly appreciated and rewarded by the knowledge that you’ve made a difference in someone’s life.

Remember, ’tis better to give than to receive.