Today's newspaper reports that at least locally (and I doubt the Pacific NW is any different from any place else, either in he US or elsewhere) has 1/10th the number of toys - one TENTH - that they usually have for the "holiday" and don't know how they will fulfill all the requests from the shelters, the housing projects, the thousands of families that rely on help for kids this season. the Sally Army (NOT my favorite organization, as they comprise 2 things I really don't like, organized religion and the military) are having trouble meeting everyone's needs as well - vouchers for christmas meals apparently went in a blink and so many more folks are hitting up the SA, the food banks, you name it. You can find stuff for a buck or two at a drug store or discount place - there's lots of fakey "beanie babies" that go for 99 cents and stuff. it's something at least.

The US Marine Corps is the sponsor of "toys for tots" but every city has some place or event that is helping out. Here in Seattle, I think the football game today will have donation cans. I guess the fire stations don't participate any more, but "Toys R Us" apparently does. There's a website (of course) with info - you can always give money. The program gets four stars (very high) from Charity Navigator.

You guys know I'm not a big kid person - don't have 'em, never wanted 'em, don't really relate to 'em, but hell, kids need toys. Or books! there's always First Book, another 4 star charity. (Charity Navigator has a great "gift guide btw, listing all sorts of things all sorts of useful ways,.)

I feel like this has turned into a blog with the occasional public service announcement. But how can you not feel something when you realize how many kids are hungry or homeless or needy. And all the do-gooders who rely on regular people like you and me are in dire straits.