I would like to be able to help someone less fortunate at least every week. I know I can give to charity etc but feel as though it would be so much better to be able to see how your dollars or even time would affect someone that really needs help. I will have to look into this more and try to see what I can do to acheive this.

I just wanted to take a moment to count my blessings today. I'm an area manager for a chain of convenience store and have quite a few employees to keep up with. At one of my stores I have an employee who has had the hardest time the last three weeks or so. Her mother died unexpectedly about three weeks ago, her mother in law took her daughter out of state without permission and she had to go to Indiana to bring her back, her father and sister kicked her out of the house and left her to sleep in her truck, it has been pretty cold here and I worry about her and her daughter sleeping in their car. Her daughter is only three years old, poor little thing probably doesnt understand what is going on! She hasnt been working much because of her recent problems and I know she is worried about Christmas for her daughter. I've been very fortunate and have never had to sleep in my car or go without food etc.
My son and I went last night and bought a giant stocking at the Dollar Tree last night and filled it up with $30 worth of toys for the little girl, at least she will have something for Christmas. I think I will go and see if I can get a gift certificate for a nice Christmas dinner for the two of them somewhere. When you see someone in such an unfortunate situation it really makes you take a step back and count your own blessings. It really does put a damper on the holiday spirits, I wonder how many people don't have a place to stay or food to eat, it's just so sad!