A LOT OF GOODWILL

I've got this theory that having survived the selfish seventies and beyond, there are a heck of a lot of people around who have finally realized that they were lied to when they were told the accumulation of stuff would make them happy. Coz here they are now with every gadget known to man, homes that have been remodelled upon remodelled, good cars on the driveway and still stuck with the emptiness within.

So there is an increasing number of folks who are gradually getting the message that Jesus made centuries ago, when he said that the best way to find your life is to give it away. That's why volunteerism has increased and helping others is finally being seen to be tremendously fulfilling.

We had an example of this recently with our Grace Care ministry that operates our food pantry and mobile soup kitchen.

A local small business owner has made a generous donation around Thanksgiving for the past couple of years to help us put together our Thanksgiving baskets for the increasing number of local families that are finding it tough going to survive on Long Island.

He brought his family to help distribute baskets last year and we did wonder whether he would get involved again this time around. But he has decided to do far more than that - he has taken it upon himself to get everything that we need for Thanksgiving and is shouldering the whole project.

He has already raised several thousand dollars from local businesses, has secured 200 turkeys and is still going.

We will not be going to the church for help with Thanksgiving this year because this guy is setting us up so that we can provide more than ever before - he's working on toys for Christmas too!

There are a lot of kindhearted people out there and a lot of goodwill. This thing is growing so much it's becoming insane!!!