As the holiday season approaches, we begin to have visions of gathering together with friends and family, exchanging gifts, and taking a much-needed break from the rigors of school. However, for many people throughout the nation, the thought of the holiday season does not include any of the things that we consider the best parts of the winter.

There are many Americans in our hometowns who are not able to focus on what they will be giving their loved ones, because they are more concerned with what they can't give to them. In addition, many of their worries go far beyond the gift exchanging we take for granted, including the basics of human survival, such as shelter, warmth, and food.

So this season, as we gather in our warm homes, let us not forget those of less fortune. Better yet, let us take action by volunteering to help those in need. There are multiple agencies and organizations, both locally and nationally, that need volunteers in order to be able to serve others. Organizations such as the Salvation Army or a neighborhood church are in need of our help. If you have trouble finding an agency for which you would like to volunteer there are simple ways to find one close to where you live. By typing "volunteering" into a search engine and exploring the sites that pop up, we will undoubtedly find a place where we can help others.

Another option is to visit the website Volunteermatch.com (http://www.volunteermatch.com) which, "utilizes the power of the Internet to help individuals nationwide find volunteer opportunities posted by local nonprofit and public sector organizations." This website is able to offer ways to volunteer that fit individual interests and schedules.

Let us not forget the real "reason for the season" this year by doing our part to help spread goodwill to the part of the world where we live, and taking time to give to those who need our help. We need to find a way to volunteer this holiday break, thereby giving a gift that can't be measured by worldly means.

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