Giving to others has given me so much!

  Holidays are often our favorite time of year, and it’s easy to get caught up in our own lives and forget about the less fortunate.  Working with YMSL this year really helped me to understand how much I have and am grateful for, and why it’s important to give to the less fortunate in and around our community. YMSL provided several amazing opportunities to help others this holiday season, like contributing over 100 turkeys for the Larimer Country Food Bank and donating toys to the Healing Warriors Program so veterans in Fort Collins could spread some Christmas cheer to needy children. We live in an amazing town full of giving people and charities, and as a member of YMSL, I’m proud to be a part of it.

  Last year, for my first philanthropy at YMSL, I had the opportunity to make and serve food for the homeless at Catholic Charities.  I think of Fort Collins as a wealthy area of Colorado but seeing how many people in our town needed help, really inspired me to do as much as I can for my community, from playing Bingo with the elderly at Good Samaritan, to re-doing the yard at The Learning House, to helping the team of Elderhaus move to their new location. It’s even helped me volunteer outside of YMSL. This December, at Rocky Mountain High School, my class collected gifts and clothes for a family in need at our yearly Adopt-a-Family event. My class adopted a family of seven that could not afford Christmas gifts or food for a Christmas dinner.  Together, we raised over $500 in gift cards, household items, and toys for the family!

  Working to help that family, and volunteering at charities around Fort Collins with YMSL, have been eye-opening opportunities for me. I realize how lucky I am, to have all I need and more this holiday season.  And I now understand why people often say it is better to give than to receive.  Giving to others has given me so much!

Vincent Nicholson

YMSL Fort Collins 

Communication Team

Tis The Season To Be Jolly

So as I sit down to write for the YMSL blog for the December newsletter, I feel overwhelmed by how many other things I need to be doing.  I feel STRESSED!  I am sure many of you feel about the same this time of year.  You may not even be reading this blog because there is no time for unnecessary reading right?!?  There is shopping to be done, meals to be planned, Christmas cards to be sent, Elves to be moved, cookies to be baked and a whole myriad of other items that need to be done in order to make the holidays “wonderful.”  Every year I promise myself it will be different.  Every year I say that I will slow down and remember what is important.  Every year I have good intentions.  

Earlier in the month, Luke and I volunteered for Dolls for Daughters.  We helped hand out gifts to families and kids who needed a little extra help over the holidays.  This event was good in so many ways.  For one, Luke and I got to spend the day together.  During this busy time, we forget to spend time and isn’t that what the holidays are really all about, spending time with those you love. Secondly, we were helping others.  It was simple. We stood behind a table and helped kids select a gift they may want.  It wasn’t strenuous or difficult but it was helpful.  Because of all the volunteers that gave of their time, tons of families walked away with a little something special. It didn’t happen with one person.  It happened because a bunch of people came together to help. Hopefully, kids walked away with a smile on their face and families felt a little lighter because they were able to give their child something over this holiday season.  And thirdly, it made me thankful, thankful for all that I have.  Thankful that this Christmas I can give gifts to my family. It made me thankful for the family I have and thankful that I am part of an organization that cares about serving their community.  

So as we count down the days till Christmas, I am reminding myself to spend time with those I love, look beyond myself for opportunities to help others, and be thankful for all that I have.  Because really isn’t that what it is all about?  This year I want to be different.  Merry Christmas! 

Emily Kesler

YMSL Fort Collins

Communications Team