This morning I get a call from someone who wants to know what Solidarity Helping Hand will do today to celebrate International Charity Day. My answer? We’re going to do what we do every day.
Let’s first consider what exactly charity entails. Charity means more to us than just handing out or receiving money. It is a deep commitment to a heart of caring, to values of giving and helping others. This is fellow humanity and empathy.
One can show charity in so many ways, such as offering one’s time and using one’s God-given talents. There are so many ways you can start.
We at Helpende Hand get up every day with a heart for charity. We live it when we sing along to music in the car on the way to work in the morning, when we arrive at the office and go out during the day to do charity work in communities through social development. When we go to sleep tonight, it is with a calm heart that still feels called to be actively involved in charity after a full day.
But, today we can celebrate a little more than usual by going out and doing something good: visit an aunt or uncle at the home for the elderly; call someone you know is in need and be willing to just listen; pack that extra lunchbox for a child you know doesn’t have sandwiches at school.
All great actions once upon a time started small – like Helping Hand. Today we are grateful for a family of 40,000 supporters who every day make a huge difference in the lives of thousands of children, the elderly and persons with disabilities. Whether it is through national nutrition projects, social services, training or support and aid when there are floods and marches.
Wherever we are required to give love and convert care into actions, we will do it with dedication, because we will always try to help where we can and with what we can.
Charity makes the world a better place and it provides a platform for us as broken people to still be good to others. It also gives us a sense of existence to be able to help and support others. It gives us something to offer that leaves a legacy and lasting legacy.
It is written in 2 Corinthians 9:9:
“Let everyone give as he intends in his heart, not with sadness or out of compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver.”
Let’s be joyful givers every day, but especially today. Share your gifts, money, time and humanity with others and go make a difference where God calls you. Even if it’s just to check in on your neighbor and ask if he’s still okay.
To make it a little easier for you to start with charity work today and to teach your children the value of it, you can visit www.ondersteunons.co.za. Here you can immediately become part of a family that gives and helps.
You can also visit www.helpendehand.co.za and take a look at numerous projects in which you and your family can get involved. The website also indicates where your nearest Helping Hand branch and Ons Winkel store is, so you can immediately get involved in your town or city and make a difference.
- René Roux is deputy CEO of Solidarity Helping Hand.
