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ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) -- Residents of some Santa Clara neighborhoods have ditched the holiday tradition of exchanging gifts or goodies. Instead, they collect cold, hard cash and use the money to help local charities or families in need.
"We just decided, 'Let's do something good for someone else that needs it,"' said Charise Smith, one of more than 120 families who now participate in annual neighborhood Christmas projects.
A small group of neighbors first decided to redirect their gift-giving in 1999, pooling their money for worthwhile endeavors. The idea spread, and now raises several thousand dollars.
"The whole spirit of Christmas is giving and a lot of us are caught up in getting," said Smith. "It's such a small amount of time and effort that we have to do compared to the help we give others. You feel like you've done something very effective, that you've helped someone."
The funds have supported schools, libraries, towns and individual families facing job and home losses, medical bills after illness or injury and deaths.
Community philanthropic organizations including the Children's Justice Center, The Learning Center for Families, and Dixie Care and Share have also benefited.
"They've just helped a lot of families in need and not just necessarily in need, people who needed lifting up in some way. (They) try to help in as many ways as they can," said Becky Peterson.
Peterson's own family was helped several years ago when her son was injured in a serious accident.
"It was such a good feeling for us in a time of need, that we just decided to keep it going in our own neighborhoods," said Becky Peterson, who described the experience as humbling. "It's difficult for families to receive the help, but it's overwhelming and a blessing at the same time to know so many care."
Putting a list of needs together can sometimes be hard, because people don't want to say they need help, Peterson said.
Honoring that respect for privacy, both giving and receiving are done discreetly, so participants can preserve their anonymity.
Smith says most who donate don't do it for recognition, but simply because they want to help.
"I realize it's just a drop in the bucket for someone who needs a hundred thousand dollar surgery, but at least they know the community is behind them and that someone cares about them," said Smith. "It doesn't strap any of us, but with everyone participating, it adds up to a lot of money," said Smith.
------ Information from: The Spectrum, http://www.thespectrum.com
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
