Hi neighbour! In a little while people across the world will be singing Christmas carols as they usher in what is widely considered the season of giving.

Some persons would have already bought what they are planning to give this season. Some will not make purchases but will give out of their possession. At this time of the year we may even find people giving stuff that they are anxious to get rid of - dumping them at the Salvation Army, children's homes, homes for the aged, etc. No offence meant, but dumping is not giving in the true sense. Just thought I'd make that point! Forgive me.

For some persons the spirit of giving is activated only at Christmas time. This attitude seems to suggest that even children who are hungry today must wait until Christmas to be fêted, oftentimes in the presence of the television camera. Again, no offence meant. Truth is, all of this makes absolutely no sense to those children and adults who are currently in need of our assistance. Remember that this column advocates that we do our best to help people despite their mistakes ...

Neighbourliness

As you reflect on the foregoing, I make the point that the spirit of neighbourliness is 10 times stronger than the spirit of Christmas. It is an on-time rapid response spirit which is active all year round and is also the lifeblood of this column.

Elaine, a low-income earner, is filled with this spirit of neighbourliness which has been empowering her to give more than anyone would expect. She said that the "spirit of giving came upon me" as a little girl attending secondary school. Her parents were very poor and could not afford to purchase uniforms for her. Every day the other children would tease her as she attended school in her little green dress - the only dress she had. Two teachers, to whom she is eternally grateful, eventually came to her rescue and purchased uniforms for her. It was on that day, her happiest day at school, that she made a decision to become a giver. Having made that decision, the spirit of giving possessed her.

Giving for Elaine is a source of inexplicable joy. She does not give in order to receive blessings but the blessings she receives are innumerable. An avid reader of this column, she eagerly seeks opportunities to assist a neighbour in need. Out of her meagre salary last month she assisted 'Miss Allen' in St Andrew to pay her child's school fee. Just last week this neighbour with a heart of gold purchased all the back-to-school books for a Manchester student.

Overflowing basket

Her only request of Fay, the child's mother, is that those books be passed on to another student free of cost. Strangely, the more she gives from her basket, the more she has in the basket. She is always giving to the children in her community. On a weekend several elderly persons in her community can look forward to their red peas soup from this perpetual giver.

Like Elaine, the spirit of giving/neighbourliness can open our eyes to see every day as an opportunity to meet somebody's needs.

Merry 'Christmas' and have a very good 'neighbourday'.

Olympian Juliet Cuthbert recently contributed school supplies to three basic schools in her home parish of St Thomas. Through her training facility, Cuthbert's Fitness Studio, Cuthbert got gym members to donate books, building blocks and a television. - Contributed

Many thanks to the following neighbours who extended themselves to help their neigh-bours last week.

1. Johan, St Andrew, for donating khaki to a needy student.

2. Mazie, St James, for offering clothing, shoes, bed linen, chairs, mattress, etc, to a neighbour.

3. Nellita, St Ann, for offering male/female clothing to a needy neighbour.

4. Orlean, St Elizabeth, for offer of khaki uniforms, etc, for back to school.

5. Owen, St Andrew, of Impressive Barbers, Hope Road, for offering a free haircut to a Manchester student as part of his back-to-school contribution.

6. Jennifer, St Andrew, for connecting with Faithe, who needed clothing for church.

7. Loretta, St Andrew, for connecting with 72-year-old neighbour who needed a bed.

8. Paula, St Catherine, for connecting with Jasmin who needed a bed for her three children.

9. Mr Fong, St Andrew, for offering food and a bed to two neighbours in St Catherine.

10. Monica, Miami, United States, for financial contribution to our initiative.

11. Christine, United States, for connecting with AnnMarie, Clarendon, who needed assistance.

Here are opportunities to help neighbours

1. Single mother of eight, St Elizabeth, unable to find a job. Cannot see her way with back to school. Asking neighbours to assist.

2. Neville, Clarendon, 60 years of age. Needs to do eye surgery at a cost of $162,000. Asking for neighbours' assistance.

3. Miss Smith, Manchester: partner met a terrible accident and now incapacitated. Asking for neighbours' assistance with respect to food, lunch money for children, etc.

4. Erline, St Andrew, 85-year-old neighbour, in need of someone to care for her. Nowhere to live.

5. Merlene, unemployed mother of six, St Catherine, asking neigh-bours for interim assistance with food for children.

6. Marcia, St Catherine, asking neighbours for a mattress. Size 16 female clothing for church also.

7. Shirley, St Catherine, accident victim. Caring for five children single-handedly. Asking neigh-bours for financial assistance to fund a little business.

8. Seventy-year-old Albert is asking neighbours to assist with purchase of bushwhacker as he tries to become gainfully employed. He is diabetic and needs to purchase medication, etc.

9. Rachael's eight-year-old daughter fainted at school and needs to do CT scan at private facility. Needs $25,000 to help give her daughter a fighting chance.

10. Lambert, St James. Blind and needs neighbours' assistance. He is often hungry as he has no food. Wants to sell phonecards to generate income.

To help, please call 906-3167, 884-3866 or 373-7745 or send email to: neighbourtoo@yahoo.com and we will make the link-up. Those who desire to make financial donations to this project may make deposits to Acct # 351 044 276 at the National Commercial Bank. Bank routing #: JNCBJMKX