There’s really no question about it: people are more willing to hand over money and pull out their checkbooks in the name of charitable donations when the first frost hits or whenever the Thanksgiving decorations go up.  

In a 2012 Bank of America study, philanthropists at Indiana University found that 42.7 percent of Americans report more charitable giving around the holiday season as compared to the rest of the year. 41.2 percent also have family traditions centered around giving, and another 33.4 percent involve their kids in giving.

We all experience how the holiday spirit fades, and with it, the spirit of giving. After the last day of break, the first day back to school feels like torture compared to the tranquility of being at home surrounded by family and holiday food. For athletes, practice resumes during break for most sports, then it’s back to the grind. Many have the tendency to drop their shoulders and try to plow through it until they reach summer break, and the holiday feeling is completely

zapped.

The real tragedy is that there are people everywhere who need something, no matter the season. There is a lot of hurt in the world, some of which can be fixed if we all decided that giving doesn’t end when the ball drops on New Year’s or the Christmas tree comes down.

Believe it or not, giving isn’t always about the money or buying blankets for the homeless. Although these precious commodities can be a huge help to those in need, at times, people need more than just something material. After all, none of it comes with us when we die. Maybe they need a friend. Maybe seeing you smile will make someone’s day. Maybe they need someone to sit with at lunch. Maybe they’re failing science class and could really use your help before finals. Maybe they just need someone to listen to them and take the time to care. Maybe they just need to feel like they belong here, in the small town of Eaton, Colorado.

Regardless about you believe about religion, it’s a fact that we all have something unique about us, and with that comes special talents. You may not be the best athlete, or smartest in your class, but you do have something to offer this high school and the world. Whatever you do, think about how you could use it to help other people.

So why wait until Christmas music comes on the radio to do something nice for the people around you? What you give, whether it’s time, money, or just a listening ear could mean the world to someone. The holiday season has certainly set the bar for charitable giving, but wouldn’t it be nice if everybody upheld the standard throughout the year? Imagine what a place the world could be if we all made a conscious decision to give something every day during our time on earth.