This is a difficult year for many, but ironically, when times are tough, thoughts often turn to helping others.
Or, maybe it's not ironic at all.
The closer we come to losing our security, the more we count the blessings that remain.
Perhaps this is not a year to spend $1,000 on a new TV, but we can give $25 to help a needy child or to find a cure for cancer or to buy food for a homeless person or heat for an elderly shut-in or help a woman find safety from an abusive relationship.
My top 10 Christmas gift list is my top 10 charity causes.
Because in giving, we receive, and in compassion we find hope.

1. Operation Holiday to buy food and gifts for needy children. P.O. Box 484, Pottstown PA 19464. This is The Mercury's program and will serve 151 families and 416 children of the Pottstown area this year.
2. Pottstown Relay for Life c/0 Linda Rudolph, Diamond Federal Credit Union, 1600 Medical Drive, Pottstown PA 19464 www.pottstownrelayforlife.com
3. The church of your choice
4. Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities fund to help people pay for heating oil, 137 Walnut St., Pottstown PA 19464
5. Ministries at Main Street help for the homeless program, www.Ministriesatmainstreet.org
6. American Cancer Society memorial contributions, c/o Joan Gehris, National Penn Bank, 1830 E. High St., Pottstown, PA 19464
7. Women's Center of Montgomery County, 555 High St., Pottstown PA 19464 to offer support to women escaping domestic violence
8. Pottstown Long Term Relief Committee, Susquehanna Bank, 159 E. High St., Pottstown PA 19464 for victims of fires and natural disasters in the area
9. North Coventry Food Pantry, 148 W. Main St., Pottstown PA 19464 offering food to the needy
10. Community Housing Service Inc., 311 N. Broad St., Lansdale PA 19446 for STEPS program in Pottstown area helping victims of domestic violence start a new life.