It's too hard to be charitable

Christmas time is about giving. We tend to focus on what everyone is giving us, and what we are giving our friends, but there are people right here in Ogden who need gifts as simple as dinner or a blanket. They are less picky than your friends and don't care if it's name-brand. Just Google charities, and you'll find thousands. There are lots of local charities too - Local charities that depend on local donations and volunteers. This year, why not give to someone who won't need a gift receipt just in case it's the wrong color. I know what you're thinking, "Charity? Isn't that what Oprah is for?" But come on, she is only one woman, and she can't possibly give everybody a new car. The next most common excuse for ignoring the bell-ringer at Smiths is that you'll donate more when you are older. Don't fool yourself by saying you'll be more generous when you're rich! If you can't find a way to help now, you certainly won't want to share later when you have sports cars, student loans, and rich kids to pay for. You'll be even more stingy when your hard-earned money is being taxed at 30 percent. I know what you are thinking, "Hey, I'm needy too." While plans for a soup kitchen on campus have not yet begun, it's common knowledge that students are hungry and poor. But students who beg are not always needy. Unlike homeless and impoverished individuals, most students are choosing temporary financial hardship for a future payoff. That said, you knew what you were getting into, and no one is stopping you from begging for your own food, but contribute to real charitable funds too. It's easier to ignore the ads on TV and the donation envelope at work, but the guilt weighs on you like a giant backpack full of bowling balls. Deep down, you know you shouldn't be a Scrooge. Anyone of us could end up in devastating circumstances overnight, and then we would be depending on the charity of strangers. I sure hope they are more generous than I. Yes, you are too busy. Between school and work, you are too busy for lots of things that you find time to do every week. Things like watching reality TV, Facebook-stalking your middle school crush, and buying crap you don't need off eBay. Just like everything on your to-do list, you have to decide you want to do it, and then add it so you can get it done. There are lots of reasons why charity isn't fun or easy, but in comparison to the need that exists, they really just don't matter.