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Before you know it, the holidays will be upon us. Summer is barely over and department stores start gearing up. With the economy still in the doldrums, retailers want to know how they will fair during the shopping season. Kids start thinking about all those toys or electronics they just can’t live without. Adults start agonizing over finding the perfect gifts for those special people in their lives. But what about the less fortunate? What do their minds turn to as the holidays approach? Does it differ from their day to day lives?
Think about it. As a whole, we in Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Saratoga are fortunate. Collectively we enjoy the highest standard of living in the California. In Los Altos, we are well educated, tend to work in the high tech industry (engineers, management, computer specialists, top executives), have a median household income of $154,823, 1 and prepare and send our children off to prestigious colleges and universities. We are the so-called “haves.”
The disparity. But take a closer look and we can see those amongst us that are struggling to make ends meet. Relying on the good deeds of others to assist in putting food on the table or keep the utilities on. The ones that hope their children will get through high school and have the good fortune to get a decent job or maybe even go onto college so as to end the cycle of poverty.
Take a closer look and we see the senior citizens who are also struggling. They too rely on the good will of others. Many live on less than $1000/month from Social Security, stretching their dollars to pay for groceries, utilities, medicine and transportation to the doctor. Wanting to continue to live at home but fearing the risk of falls or the fear of isolation that can come with it or feeling overwhelmed when released from yet another hospital visit.
And then there are the homeless. Just because homeless people are not always visible, doesn’t mean they are not there. Collectively, these are the so-called “have nots.”
This year I am honored to serve as the President of the Board for a fabulous non-profit, the Community Services Agency (CSA). CSA provides a safety net, providing critical support services that preserve and promote stability, self-reliance, and dignity. The agency serves Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.
On Friday, September 16th, CSA honored three recipients of our Hometown Heroes award at our annual breakfast. This year’s honorees were Intuit (whose corporate headquarters is in Mountain View), Judy Hannemann (Los Altos resident) and Bob and Lois Adams (Los Altos residents). These extraordinary heroes are part of the “haves” and have given and given, and then continue to give more. They understand the disparity we have in our community and they all have chosen to make a difference, not only through their support of global organizations and initiatives, but right here at home – where they (or their employees) live, work, play. They are role models and inspired me to write this piece.
So, as you watch those holiday displays go up, think about how you too can be a hero, a role model. Pick your local cause. Make a financial or food or gift contribution. Get more directly involved by volunteering your time and talents. Serve on a board. There are many wonderful non-profits that would welcome your support.
I encourage you to:
- Look around and see the needs in our own “backyard”—find a cause that moves you and choose to make a difference – the working poor, at risk youth, seniors needing an extra hand, education, etc.
- Examine your charitable contributions – how much goes to “global” causes? How much goes directly to your local community (where you live, work, and play)? What is the right mix?
- Think broader when you are racking your brain in search of that birthday, anniversary, or holiday gift for that special someone (or the person that has everything!) – start a new tradition and honor that person by making a contribution to a favorite non-profit.
Remember, no matter how hard our investment portfolios and retirement accounts are being hit by the economy, there are those who are truly struggling today – primary earners being laid-off or having their hours reduced, seniors who are living off Social Security and little else, children who want to start their school year off like their peers with new backpacks, school supplies, and new shoes (thanks Intuit for making this possible and putting a smile on their faces).
Join the many amongst us who nurture and promote the traditions of volunteerism and philanthropy, and be an active part of a caring community!
1 http://www.city-data.com/city/Los-Altos-California.html |