Gratitude and Community

As we approach the holidays, I have had several thoughts about the gifts we give and receive. Doing some quick research, the idea of giving gifts to family and friends probably began in Europe. Gifts were given as a show of gratitude during the year-end celebrations.
It is a bit fuzzy when the feeding frenzy of gifts became the focus of Christmas and other religious holidays. I would like to see us move back to the original meaning of gifts as a show of gratitude and community.
I have three charities that I believe make a difference:

• Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org
• The Greater Chicago Food Depository www.chicagosfoodbank.org
• Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit www.metrodetroitanimals.org

Please send me any charitable organizations that you feel strongly about and I will share the information with the recipients of my newsletter and post on Facebook.
Good thoughts to you and your family!