Trending
"Illuminating the spirit of Christmas" was the headline of last year's Dec. 24-25 Mirror editorial.
However, as more people here learn each year, illumination of that spirit actually begins in early November when the Mirror launches its annual Season of Sharing fundraising campaign on behalf of some worthy organization or cause.
This year, Season of Sharing will benefit Sweat for Vets, a nonprofit organization started by local veterans nine years ago.
As this weekend's article about the launching of the campaign reminds this and surrounding communities, Sweat for Vets is dedicated to helping area service members, veterans and their families who are in need, as well as local veterans-related organizations.
Reacting to the group's selection as this year's recipient of the campaign's funds, Jayme Rhodes, Sweat for Vets president, said, "It's great that we can raise more money and give more to local veterans. It will be awesome."
It is appropriate that this year's Season of Sharing effort benefiting a local group dedicated to veterans is starting on a weekend "housing" Veterans Day, a national holiday recognizing all who have served honorably in this nation's military services, whether or not they made the ultimate sacrifice on a battlefield.
While patriotic parades and other holiday
-related activities will punctuate the importance of the day, it also will be a day when area people should consider opening their wallets and pocketbooks on behalf of this Sweats for Vets organization that is doing so much good for those who deserve thanks for their service to America.
This year's early illumination of the holiday-giving spirit hopes to build significantly on the $376,254 foundation put in place by the 18 previous Seasons of Sharing, the 2022 campaign for the benefit of the St. Vincent DePaul Assumption Chapel Food Pantry having raised $37,198.
Season of Sharing is a great example of how the reach of a local newspaper -- in this case, the Mirror and altoonamirror.com -- along with a local community foundation and residents' generosity, can join together to produce a wonderful result.
The foundation is the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation, which continues to be a valuable resource for helping to administer the money that the campaign raises.
Sweat for Vets receives high praise in this community in regard to its energetic efforts.
One example of that praise has come from Melinda Shea, health care for homeless veterans supervisor at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center.
Shea has described Sweat for Vets as "an integral part of supporting the VA's goal to end veteran homelessness.
"They have been so generous when contacted to provide support to veterans to assist with utility payments, rental assistance and other basic needs," she said.
Some people, fearing failure, pass up opportunities to turn ideas into successful undertakings. Fortunately for veterans of the Altoona area, the individuals who pooled their efforts on behalf of Sweat for Vets ignored whatever prospects for failure they might have envisioned or encountered initially and, instead, dedicated themselves fully to making their mission a success.
Determination is the basis for successful military service. Determination is what made Sweat for Vets eligible for the kind of financial support that this community is capable of providing during this Season of Sharing.