Searcy (LP) Every year around the Thanksgiving/Christmas season, author and blogger Glennon Doyle Melton initiates a program entitled “Together Rising’s Holiday Hands”. It’s an online ordeal in which one can either sign up to receive help for the holidays or sign up to help a family in need. Examples of types of need that people can ask for/help out with are toys they can’t afford for their children on Christmas, help with Thanksgiving dinner, or even just letters of encouragement to get them through tough times during the holidays. In one of her blog posts about the program, Glennon says, “Some of us have a little extra this year. These folks need to reach out to other families and share, in order to wake themselves up and connect and really experience what the holidays mean.” This is the programs sixth year running, and it has been more than successful every year. Besides helping the people who submit requests directly, you can also donate to the cause and help Together Rising fulfill the requests that the people were unable to fill this year. No one goes unhelped, whether it is by the people or the company itself.
Though it is an international program, it is affecting students here in Searcy. Over 10 students and teachers at SHS have participated in Holiday Hands and have helped out families in need during this season. In an interview with Senior Hannah Noland, she said, “There’s so much negativity going around in the world, and even in our small town of Searcy. [Holiday Hands] helps me release some of that negativity and fuel it into something that will help someone who isn’t as fortunate as me this Thanksgiving and Christmas.” Students have been sharing Holiday Hands on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram trying to get the word out and make people think about others for a change. Noland also told Lion Press, “I think this project is so amazing. What a beautiful way to be selfless and caring during a time when we tend to be extremely selfish.”
This year so far, Holiday Hands has helped 730 people with their holiday needs, big or small. You can click here to get to her blog post and make or fulfill a request and help SHS spread Holiday Cheer one person at a time.
