In a few days, we will celebrate Christmas with our loved ones. This year, we have been treated to a special vision of what Christmas could be for us as a community if we all pitch in and do a few special things based on our specific skill set.
I remember a time when I was a kid and we had a lot more residents in the town and parish, and there were so many community events and decorations everywhere. Even though that seems like a lifetime ago, this year reminded me that it was still possible.
Downtown Lake Providence’s Lake Street has been a gorgeous sight for those of us who drive or walk through town at night this year. I have watched Gayle Condrey, Kathleen Martin, among others, engage in coordination and work as part of an effort that included the Doorway to Louisiana.The lights and decorations they hung could put even the Grinch in the spirit.
The beauty of working together as a community is that the more people who get involved in these types of activities, then the greater the success will be and the less of a burden it is for a few people trying to do all of the work to make it happen.
Let’s face it, not everyone possesses the same skills to make successful projects a reality, but if we all do what is within us to do, then that will allow for these types of projects to be successful.
There are people, like myself, who don’t have a creative bone in their body. However, many of those people
Working together, we can do it all
have found other ways to get involved. Some make donations to projects, others with the creative gene orchestrate the vision for what the project can look like once it is done, and others have the equipment and physical ability to carry out the vision.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to see downtown Lake Providence this season, please go out one evening and take in the Christmas beauty that is the hard work and vision of residents who are trying to make a difference.
We have had some organizations of young people, under the direction of teachers and leaders, take on projects such as collecting toys, food, items for people residing in nursing homes.
The JAG Program from General Trass High School collected toys that were distributed to local youth; the Spencer Bee Girls Dance Team delivered gifts as part of their Ebay Holiday Giveaway in the community; The Explosive WildKatz passed out fruit bags to the elderly in the community and the nursing home.
There were other local youth groups that have been doing great community related holiday activities focusing on giving back. What this breeds in children is the understanding that one does not have to be wealthy to give back to kids, the elderly, or people in need. Everyone should be applauded.
Travis Jackson spearheaded the local Christmas Parade this year and he did a fantastic job of using social media to invite everyone to be a part of it. The event was a huge success and hopefully it will be bigger next year.
I was very impressed with the Oak Grove Christmas Festival that took place the first weekend in December. They had a chili cookoff during the afternoon, followed by a gingerbread decorating contest for the youth, Christmas caroling, concluding with the parade that evening. Perhaps something like this could be possible here in Lake Providence next year?
This Christmas season shows us the promise of what could be in our small community when a few people work together to make the season beautiful and giving. We should be very proud of our community.
Have a Merry Christmas and enjoy the day with your family and friends.
But hey, that’s just my opinion!
