The Emporia Gazette

May 27, 2012

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DEC. 1, we were ringing bells for the Salvation Army in front of Wal-Mart giving us the opportunity to extend our wishes for a Merry Christmas to those entering and exiting the store. A woman tstopped, placing currency in the bucket, and said she remembered when she would not have had a Christmas at all if not for the Salvation Army. We thanked her, wished her Merry Christmas and she was on her way. It was a touching moment and we were pleased to be part of it.

Thanksgiving and Christmas is the time of the year when we should reflect the total year and be especially thankful for all the good people in our nation and around the world. A time to be thankful for all the good things in the world, the land and all upon it, giving thanks for all that God has given us. We are so blest in this great nation and should be grateful for our abundance and be willing to share with the less fortunate, just as our community does every year through our churches, other organizations and especially the efforts of the Salvation Army. Just like our community did for our Cuban friends in the ’60s, our Vietnamese friends in the ’70s, our Hispanic friends of recent years. As history repeats itself, we have another opportunity to help those in need. These good people are seeking a better life for themselves and their families and where better than Emporia? What we need to do throughout America is to learn to live in unity, not division, show love for one another, not dislike or hate.

We are proud of the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, our church and the other churches in our community and to the charitable organizations and hundreds of volunteers that work year round to help those in need, those who are troubled.

Serving God and others is what he wants of us.

Merry Christmas!

Jim and Helen Pickert

Emporia