Crying Over The Cold
Ellie Blake
Co-Editor-In-Chief
Thanks to the chilling polar vortex that has settled in, taking a step outdoors causes instant shivers and rosy red cheeks. Winter is the season for icy conditions, along with snow, freezing ice, slippery roads and numbed feet.
New York just received over seven feet of snow, making every trip outside of the house an adventure. The snow as buried the streets and the doors are snowed in.
I hate winter as much as the next person. But, I realize how lucky I am to have a roof over my head, warm food to eat and clothes on my back.
People that are granted homes, food and clothing complain about walking from their cars to their front door because of the frigid winds and frost-bite inducing temperatures. What they really need to think about is how the homeless people are forced to sit in ditches and alleyways, wishing for something as basic as a jacket.
There are 578,424 homeless people currently in the United States alone, and some will freeze to death this winter. Winter shelters do not open until it is around 30 degrees or colder. What people don’t know is that hypothermia can set in when the temperature is anywhere from 32 degrees to 50 degrees.
I’m not saying I haven’t complained about the cold before, but I can’t stand to hear people complain about it every second of the winter season. We are so blessed to have a home with heat and blankets to cover up in when we get chilly.
There are many ways that someone can help the homeless or the needy. Donating to a food bank or participating in a food drive makes a huge difference for a family’s holiday season. To make sure that people are properly clothed, people can donate old outfits, hats, gloves and scarves to a Goodwill or find a program that provides clothing for the homeless and less fortunate.
Something else that we love to complain about is how little we receive on Christmas morning. Teenagers need to realize that getting even one present is a huge privilege. Some children wake up on Christmas morning to socks, one toy or, for some, nothing at all.
To ensure those kids will have some holiday joy, there are organizations that accept toys and stuffed animals. Toys For Tots is a great charity that donates toys for the Christmas season.
There is always the opportunity to volunteer at a homeless shelter or volunteer your time to help people in need.
Winter isn’t the most enjoyable season, but it should be a time to reflect on how lucky we are. This holiday season, take your time to help the people in need instead of complaining about the cold.
