Breaking up an otherwise quiet Saturday, I stopped by the Crestview Wal-Mart for groceries and — of course, bringing reusable canvas bags to be green; plus, they're more comfortable to carry — stocked up on ingredients for some weekend stock pot fun. Leaving the store, about four seconds ahead of me, were two 20-somethings who saw a senior citizen — clearly a stranger to the girl who called her "Ma'am — and asked if she needed help putting up her groceries. That reminded me of one resident's recent message on the News Bulletin's Facebook wall. "Is there any way we could help (name redacted) get up the funds for a good wheelchair?" she wrote. "It's really hard on her to get around; hasn't anybody noticed?" It's heartwarming that people look out for others so much around here. And I've seen enough examples to believe such charity is not seasonal; but these occurrences particularly resonate in November and December. We're happy to help spread the word about efforts that can affect so many by giving just a little. Recently, you've read and learned about Sonlight Covenant Church's coat drive; FNBT.com's non-perishable food drive; and Shelter House's food drive that will provide a Thanksgiving meal for domestic and sexual violence survivors and their families, among others. Additionally, the News Bulletin has inserted a packet from the Emerald Coast Rescue Mission, explaining how donating just $2.23 can provide someone a hot meal — "turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, pie and all the trimmings." That packet must have stuck in my mind. After grocery shopping last weekend, I stopped by the Crestview Waterfront Rescue Mission; it was my first visit there. After a half-hour of browsing, my trained eye stopped on a yellow 1.5-liter wine bottle with a hand-painted undersea adventure and the artist's signature. It's an awesome suncatcher for the windowsill. You can find and buy similarly unique items while, in your own small way, supporting ministries that help the sick, homeless and hungry. But I digress. This month, you can help Crestview AMVETS members provide Thanksgiving dinner for needy residents. And there's more to come, as our news and advertisements will continue to spread the word about worthy causes.
What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni @cnbeditor.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EDITOR'S DESK: Crestview area observations about the season of giving