I have spent the last 40 years contributing to those less fortunate than myself and to "causes" I felt were good for our society as a whole. Each January I was given a form to fill out in which I elected to have money deducted from my pay check and sent to these causes. I did my part. After filling out the form, I never thought about it again until the end of the year when it was time for income taxes.

This year, for the first time in my life I have actually participated in some of the many activities, events etc. through out the community which actually do outreach to people in need. I have “rung the bell” on a couple of occasion and interacted with the friendly people stuffing money in the kettles and smiling the whole time. I helped on the Chamber Festival of Lights Parade and saw the hundreds of people coming through the processing line with their floats and entries. Most all of them were "pumped up" with the excitement of the evening and really ready to be part of something special. I help wrap presents to be given to needed families, and purchased Sees Candy as gifts from the Kiwanis Club. I even had the pleasure of accompanying some of the Auburn 49’er Lions as they made their rounds with Santa handing out food and presents to families that otherwise would have had a Christmas Day devoid of all those things that I take for granted. I watched a lady "sob" almost uncontrollably as Santa talked with her kids and gave them all gifts for under the tree. A substantial amount of food was also delivered and I can well imagine that they will have a far better Christmas Day than they could have ever imagined. I left with more tears in my eyes than the sobbing mother.

These are just a few of the events that have and will take place in the community this season. Every service organization I know of is working over time to take care of some segment of our community. Churches, business organizations, fire departments, police departments and municipalities are all chipping in and filling needs somewhere. The amount of outreach is so very humbling.

I know that financially I haven't contributed as much as I have in the past. But for the first time in my life there has been a satisfaction and fulfillment that is beyond description. For those of you who have not had the privilege of participating in these kinds of things, I can only say you don't know what you are missing. For those of you who help for one hour or a 100 hours, you know what I am talking about.

Thank you Auburn and thank you all my new acquaintances for allowing me to experience these emotions and all I can say is I will be better prepared in 2009 to immerse myself in the pleasures of community giving and participation.

May you all have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday, Happy Hanukah, Happy Kwanza or any other special celebration that may be part of your life. I feel very good.

Curt Smith