As we get closer to the Christmas season, most people’s thoughts are occupied with preparations for family gatherings and last-minute shopping ideas. For some, however, their minds are on recent life-changing events that may have put them in dire financial times. They may be sitting down at their tables, deciding whether to pay the heating bill or the mortgage payment. They may be choosing between gas in the car or supper.
Some parents listen to their children’s wish lists, knowing full well that they will not be able to gather the resources to make their children’s wishes come true. It is for these families that so many in our community reach beyond their own needs and wants and provide much-needed donations and gifts during the Holiday season.
In a few weeks, we will be having our Kewaunee County Toys for Tots distribution event as we have for the past three decades. As we have been tracking the pre-registrations for this program it is concerning that we have seen an increase in the number of families that we will be assisting. The good news is that we will be able to meet those needs as the many boxes around the county have been filling up and I have even had to pick up toys early as the boxes have been overflowing. Thank you to all who have donated and to those who will be assisting with the distribution.
Another program that assists our neighbors in need throughout the year is our Salvation Army Kettle Campaign. As the Kewaunee County voucher writer for the Salvation Army I can attest to the need for these resources and the impact that it has at critical moments in people’s lives. This year’s campaign will end with the last day of bell ringing on Christmas Eve. Thank you to all who have taken time out of their busy lives to ring bells and to those who stopped for a moment to drop a donation into the Kettles. I have no doubt this year’s campaign will be just as successful as the years past.
I recently spoke to a group of students on this very issue, and I got to thinking: Why does all of this matter in the scope of being Sheriff? I do believe that programs like this, as well as the efforts of so many charitable organizations, make for a safer community, and here’s why.
Most crimes are committed for two reasons: Desperation and Isolation. I have seen many good people make poor choices because they felt they had few to no options. If we can assist at critical moments, maybe that assistance is the difference between that person or a member of their family doing right or doing wrong.
The second factor is isolation, which has to do with our accountability to each other. If, through our giving, we show that we do, in fact, care and that we take time to help one another, it builds a stronger sense of community. It is my firm belief that this stronger sense of community may, in fact, make a difference when an individual is contemplating a criminal act against another. This is just my optimistic view, and you can accept it or disregard it, but I do believe that we can start to change the world by what we do here in our communities. Be Safe and Take Care!
