Martin Luther King, Jr. once said that everyone must decide whether they will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.

With Thanksgiving behind us we're now well within “holiday season.” Whether you observe Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or any other holiday, it's a time for celebration and gift giving. This year holds a special kind of significance, perhaps, because of the struggle and sacrifice that's been made over the past several months fighting the COVID-19 Pandemic. It's more important than ever to remember that December 1 marks “Giving Tuesday.”

Giving Tuesday started in 2012 as a day to encourage people to commit acts of kindness. The simple idea has grown over the years since into a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.

With Black Friday falling a few days before, Giving Tuesday was founded as a kind of antithesis to the commercialism that's become inescapable during the holiday season.

We already see the spirit of giving and helping others alive and well in our community. Last weekend local Rotarians held their Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive outside the Ted Stroebele Recreation Center to benefit the United Way and Federation for the Homeless. They collected 46 cases of food and 31 turkeys, making it their best food drive collection to date.

At the Fallsburg Central School District, Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and Dr. Aleta Lymon delivered 50 coats to prepare less fortunate students for the upcoming winter. The local Elks Organization and the Hurleyville Performing Arts Center are also donating winter clothing items.

These are just two recent examples of local people stepping and embracing the spirit of giving. There are many more to be found.

The goal is always to think globally and act locally. This coming Tuesday, go out of your way to help others. Send a donation to your favorite non-profit organization. Due to recent cutbacks in state and local aid, 2020 has been a difficult year for many important non-profit groups. Think about the charitable causes that are most important to you and take action to advance them.

While it's difficult for any one person to change the entire world, each of us can work to make our small corner of it a little better.