The holiday season is for sharing time with family and friends but also giving time and resources to complete strangers who otherwise would feel very lonely. This is my favorite part of the season; knowing a child will get a toy or a homeless person some warm gloves and a coat. To me, this is the spirit of the season and a way to give back to the less fortunate in our community.

When my parents divorced, I was fourteen. My mother went back to teaching but could only get work as a substitute teacher, so we really struggled financially. I remember our first Christmas without my dad or his financial support. We ate whatever the Food Bank gave us, which made for some interesting meals. There were no presents expected, but the members of our church made sure my three sisters and I didn't go without some.

The generosity of people we didn't know very well made a profound impression on me and it was the spark to the start of my annual tradition of giving to strangers. I will be spending time with family in Washington this year, and I'm sure we'll have lots of laughter and fun. But the smile I'll be wearing will be more from the elf work I did to charities.

My hope is for you all to have a wonderful holiday season with your friends and family. How about sharing some of your time or resources too?

Edrie Bizak

President 2010