Molly Raley, Managing Editor

Something that I know about is being broke. I understand being a student and working as much as possible is something that almost every college student can relate to.

With the holidays right around the corner, one thing that I have been thinking a lot about is giving. To me, the holidays are the perfect time to give. There may be someone less fortunate than my family or myself and giving to them is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays.

I know what you may be thinking. “I’m a broke, college student. There is no way I can give to people in need when I am in need myself.” Well, trust me, I completely understand that statement.

When I decide that I want to give, there are a few things I think about that really help with the giving process.

First, whom do I want to help? It could be children, adults, families or even elders. Everyone, no matter what age, needs help and there is someone out there willing to participate.

Secondly, what should I give? When considering what I should give, it always goes back to whom I am trying to help. For instance, people always think of giving as monetary donations. On the contrary, there is a ton of different ways to give other than money. And for us broke, college students that is the perfect way to give. You can donate food, clothes or maybe even your time. Anything that you can give is helping someone is need. It is also giving them a holiday season to remember, because without your help they may not be able to eat a holiday meal, give their children cool toys for Christmas or see the beautiful smile that lies upon your face.

The last thing I tend to ask myself about giving is, why do I want to give? I find it hard to answer this question the most. The answer that I always seem to go back to is because “it is the right thing to do”. Everyone has heard that statement at least once in their lifetime. But just because it is the right thing to do doesn’t mean we should do it.

I know that may sound a little crazy to some of you, but I believe that if someone is willing to give because it is the right thing to do then their heart may not be in the right place. Giving is an act of kindness and it should be taken seriously. Giving because someone else does doesn’t make it that special.

There is a warm, fuzzy feeling I get when I know that I have helped someone who needed it. Giving comes from the heart and if your heart is in the right place then so will your mind. In the Bible, Deuteronomy 15:10 states “give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.” There are so many ways to be filled with warmth, giving is just one of them.

Being a broke, college student shouldn’t stop you from giving to someone less fortunate. It should empower you to give more. Whether it be going through your cupboards looking for canned foods that you haven’t or will never eat, going through your closet and throwing out those clothes that don’t fit or that have gone completely out of style or even taking the time to go to the Families Feeding Families center and helping plate a few meals for the hungry or playing with kids at the Boys and Girls Club.

Something is all I am asking for. We at Southeastern have a duty to provide the best experience for the student, faculty and staff. So why not expand that to Durant and surrounding areas for the holidays. Make someone’s family have the best holiday experience ever. Come on Southeastern! Let’s do it!