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Giving is humbling as it happens
They say Christmas is a time for giving, and that's true. Nothing makes us feel better than seeing the surprise and joy of a friend or family member who enjoys our gift.
But if you really want to be touched, try receiving.
Some Gazette folks took shifts Sunday afternoon, ringing the bell at Wal-Mart for the Salvation Army.
It was amazing.
Someone had written the word "money stuffer" on a paint-stirring stick, to make sure the bills made it through the slot.
That stick was busy all afternoon.
And, they weren't just dollar bills, either.
One gentleman came over and dropped in a bill after smoking a cigarette across the entryway from my station.
"The Salvation Army helped me out one time, after the Grand Island tornado," he said.
Dawn Cribbs, who had the shift before mine, said a sweet lady of significant years recalled a story told by her father, of arriving in Roswell, N.M., without a penny to his name, only to be rescued by the Salvation Army.
Gloria Masoner said visitors weren't just generous to the needy, as well. One woman, after emptying every last cent of change out of her purse, returned with a bone for Gloria's golden retriever, Max, who was helping guard the red bucket.
There are a lot of ways to help the needy, including contributing to the United Way, giving to your church or even paying your taxes. And most of the giving goes on quietly behind the scenes.
Even Target, the store chain that has drawn flack for banning the bell ringers along with all other solicitors this year, contributes $2 million a week to charity organizations, including the Salvation Army.
But it was humbling to see the giving as it happened. If your organization wants to help out, there might still be some slots open. Contact Fran Allacher at St. Alban's Church to find out more, (308) 345-4884.
Build helicopters in McCook? I have to admit, I was as skeptical as anybody at the idea.
But I hear progress is being made and the company should soon have a location for a local aircraft kit factory.
Workers shouldn't be a problem -- a couple of friends who are welders already mentioned they would be interested in jobs.
I guess we'll all know for sure when the production line starts rolling, which shouldn't be long.
Meanwhile, if you have questions or concerns, contact the McCook Economic Development Corp., at (308) 345-1200.
You can't blame people for being skeptical, however.
I once lived in a town that had grand dreams for production of a device. Investors were lined up, a big building was constructed -- and not one of the devices was ever built.
But a small church got a nice new building at a bargain price.
The Lord moves in mysterious ways.
Did you get outside yesterday? If so, you experienced McCook at its average.
We had a 40-degree high, compared to an average of 41, and the low as 18, compared to the average of 17.
And there was no precipitation.
Monday was almost exactly the way a day in December is supposed to be.
Besides a little more snow for a white Christmas, what more could we want?