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Every little effort contributes to a better Christmas for all

It's been one of those months. Bombs are falling in Aleppo, people are dying in refugee camps and one in five children in our province are living in poverty.

It's been one of those months. Bombs are falling in Aleppo, people are dying in refugee camps and one in five children in our province are living in poverty. The Lower Mainland is in the midst of a drug overdose crisis that has no end and our First Nations communities are in a housing crisis that resulted in the death of a father and four children in a fire.

What to do? I have my limitations. I can't build homes, prevent the supply of fentanyl or feed all the needy children. Tragic stories of the world's less fortunate are everywhere, no wonder my Facebook feed is saturated with dog and cat videos. It's hard to process all the world's problems, especially when you don't have the capability to solve them.

At Christmas, I do my part. I donate to a family in need, I contribute to the Salvation Army's Kettle Campaign, place a few bags of groceries in the food bank donation box at Thrifty Foods and buy two toys for Deltassist.

During the year, I donate monthly to an international charity. I am a committee member of a major fundraising campaign for the YWCA. I donate "stuff" I don't use anymore to the local charity shop and donate to the Red Cross when there's a major disaster like the Fort McMurray fire.

It's not very much compared to others, but I am striving to be a charitable citizen. It isn't easy and the pressure has never been greater than at this time of year.

I was shocked to see a stack of envelopes on my mother's kitchen counter last week all heading to various charities filled with cheques, "Wow, those are a lot of donations." She sighed, "I know I just can't say no, especially to those children with cleft palates who need surgery."

She and my stepfather donate generously, both close to home and far away, but only after they research which charities meet their strict criteria. They are fortunate they can afford to do it and they feel the need is there.

When I was working for Delta TV, I spent a day at the East Delta Hall with my cameraman working on a story on the Deltassist Toy Depot. I thought it would be just another feel good Christmas story, but wow was I wrong. There was something so deeply personal about watching those parents quietly, modestly and with great care choose gifts for their children that they would open on Christmas morning. I will never forget how grateful they were for the generosity of strangers.

So when the rhythms of Christmas begin early on Dec. 25, I will try to find the balance of feeling compassionate towards those who are suffering, while at the same time being grateful for everything I have.

As Vincent Van Gogh said, "Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." Let's do the best we can, however small, and to everyone a very Merry Christmas.

Ingrid Abbott is a freelance broadcaster and writer who loves to shop the Boxing Week sales without any guilt!