Greetings Altrusans! 

It’s a beautiful, cool and crisp December morning. I hope this note finds you all doing well. 2020 has been an unprecedented year! Covid -19 has forced us to slow down, stay home, and focus on simpler things. While we may walk through valleys, but we can see the hills in clear sight. A vaccine is close at hand and soon we will begin the journey back to “normal”. I am certain our “new normal” will include a renewed appreciation for our health, families, and friends. It has been wonderful keeping in touch via Zoom, but I am looking forward to seeing you all in-person, sharing hugs, and always a good meal!

December shares many holidays and anniversaries. It goes without staying how important these traditions are to us and how much we look forward to spending time together, in both celebration and remembrance. In addition to Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Saint Nicholas’ Day let us remember Human Rights Day, which is observed every year on December 10th.  Human Rights Day proclaims the inalienable rights which everyone is entitled to as a human being, regardless of race, religion, sex, or status. I did not realize that Eleanor Roosevelt, back in 1935, was an Altrusian! Please enjoy a quote from her in regards to Human Rights Day, “Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home; so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. … Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.” I couldn’t agree with her more; the small things we do, such as, sew a mask, send a card, visit a veteran, call a friend, and provide a meal touch the hearts and minds of all involved. Our community is better, because of our kindness and generosity to all and our willingness to keep paying it forward. 

Wishing you and yours a wonderful and peaceful holiday season.    🕊️