Everyone can help, big or small

Our Word
Daily Egyptian

The Salvation Army bells are ringing outside department stores all over the nation. When we hear them, sometimes we give.

But other times, we leave giving to the next guy.

This holds true at the mall, where a Christmas tree stands alone with handmade ornaments of people's wishes and needs. While we can't ignore its presence, we sometimes keep walking with bags in our hands.

People are in need all year long, but this becomes all too visible during the holiday season when charities are vying for our help. And yet many of us, because of our limited budget or busy schedule, ignore them.

But the people who could have most easily ignored the need did not.

Instead, 116 inmates at Marion Federal Prison Camp gave $2,100 to The Poshard Foundation, which supports abused and neglected children in Southern Illinois.

There were no excuses or signs of embarrassment when the prisoners made the donation. Despite the wages they earn from providing food service, janitorial work or plumbing ranging from only $14 a month to $60 a month, the inmates raised an extraordinary $2,100 within the prison in a matter of two weeks. One inmate donated $200.

Pat Benton, a local radio personality and founder of Pat's Kids, told the inmates, "For you to dig into your pockets means more to me than the richest guy giving $10,000."

The inmates clearly could have left the giving to people who make more money, but instead they chose to help the children of Southern Illinois. We praise their efforts.

Children who have a wish list but no one to give it to send their letters to Pat's Kids. Benton dedicates time during each morning show to read the letters. His audience has responded in ways no one imagined.

His initial goal was to help at least 30 children and raise at least $3,000. But Benton, who also founded the Magic School House, which collected school supplies to send to schoolchildren in Afghanistan, underestimated the people of Southern Illinois.

In the end, Pat's Kids raised $53,000 and helped 300 local children. That money combined with donations from The Poshard Foundation to make the holiday season brighter for hundreds of families.

The Poshard Foundation and Pat's Kids are at it again, but this time their goal of helping at least 600 children is a little more realistic.

We know the people of Southern Illinois will follow the lead of the inmates at Marion Federal Prison Camp and give of themselves in the name of helping others.

Donations - big and small - can be made to the two organizations at Morris Library and several other locations. With each tax-deductible donation, an ornament will be placed on the tree in its honor. All proceeds will go directly to helping children of Southern Illinois.

Donating money to the collaboration of The Poshard Foundation and Pat's Kids is just one of the ways we can help maintain the Christmas spirit this holiday season. The other ways will present themselves to us. Hopefully, we won't ignore them.

Copyright 2009 - Daily Egyptian