Consider giving this holiday season. While giving to one’s family is important, if one celebrates Christmas, anyone who has the means should participate in the season of giving. A special feeling comes from either donating time or money. Most people should get the chance to have the good feeling of giving back to the community. When deciding on when or what to donate money and time to, it is important to consider the location.

While there are national organizations worth donating to, keeping it at the local level is always a terrific option. There will always be enough support for the national organization, and some of them are more bloated than those on the local level. Hopefully, by this logic, more of the money and service in local organizations ends up in the hands of those who need it. This way the money and time go back into the community where it belongs. The donation helps fellow community members who may or may not have fallen on challenging times.

Charity is a beautiful part of society. It would be nice to see it never exist because everyone is living on good times. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The good news is human compassion is a strong emotion, and it propels people to give back. Whether it is an act of service like packaging food or serving food to those in need, it always provides a good perspective of what counts in life. No one knows when tough times are coming. By providing people a meal who were unexpectedly hit by these times, it is worth it.

Helping fund organizations that take care of the ones who need it is also important. Employees are not paid enough and volunteers who donate their time deserve as many resources as possible. When I have volunteered or looked at organizations to donate to, sometimes, I think, “These people are doing the Lord’s work.” These individuals have more emotional capacity and grit than I could ever have to work in these tough environments.

Giving them as much support as possible is the right decision. The United States of America is the land of hope and dreams. Life is not a flat and straight road. Sometimes, some Americans hit a speed bump or take a detour along the way. Donating time or money this holiday season and throughout the year, if one has the means, is one of the most important acts of kindness.

No one truly knows what their friends and neighbors could be going through. By donating, one helps those who need help but who are embarrassed to ask to help stay afloat or get back on their feet. Life is about taking care of each other as one best can. When one donates time or money, it is one of the best acts a human can do. I hope you have a wonderful season of giving because someone out there will appreciate it.

Sean Dengler is a writer, comedian, farmer, and host of the Pandaring Talk podcast who grew up on a farm between Traer and Dysart. You can reach him at sean.h.dengler@gmail.com.