Giving thanks this season

"I have always thought of Christmastime, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. -- Charles Dickens

A "Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens is one of my favorite works of all time and tells the story of how a cold and callous miser named Ebenezer Scrooge transforms to a compassionate person overnight. It took an effort from three ghosts and Tiny Tim for old Ebenezer to realize that giving was more important to his spiritual well -being than hoarding his money, but eventually his journey had a happy ending.

Speaking of happy endings, it is hard to believe that the Christmas season is upon us and 2011 will soon be coming to an end. 2011 has been a difficult year for all social service organizations, but as I look back upon the past year, there are many things that Tri-Valley is thankful for.

I have mentioned numerous times how giving the people of Southeast Kansas are, but until you actually sit down with someone and discuss the issue, you don't realize just how compassionate the people of Kansas are. Just the other day I had a chance to do just that. We were debating the characteristics of rural versus urban states, how rural states have a "can-do" attitude, compassionate during disasters or in times of need, while more populated areas and states wait until the government intervenes for help. For example, I was amazed at how many Kansans made the trip to Joplin to help with tornado relief, including people from western Kansas.

After the Greensburg tornado, rebuilding began almost immediately. In times of need, Kansans always come through.

The same can be said during the most recent economic downturn. Expectations were that donations would decrease dramatically from previous years, but that has not been the case. In fact, donations to Tri-Valley have actually increased over the past three years and have helped offset some of the cuts made by the state.

The Advanced System/Friends of Tri-Valley Golf Tournament raised a record amount of donations, as did the annual Mardi Gras. The number of members in the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation has also increased from previous years.

I have spoken to other non-profit organizations that have seen their donations increase over the past several years as well. This does not mean that all organizations have been able to increase donations, but it is a sign that not all is bad in the non-profit world.

I can also proudly say that we have some of the most compassionate political figures in the state. It starts at the legislature, where the majority of the Southeast Kansas delegation can be counted on to support people with disabilities, while at the same time show fiscal responsibility. The county commissioners have stepped up and either maintained funding at the current level or given a small increase to offset cuts from the state. The cities within Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson counties have bent over backwards to assist us when we have an issue or problem. Our board of directors has spent countless hours overseeing our mission, vision, finances and fundraising to ensure that Tri-Valley continues to be one of the preeminent developmental disability providers in the state.

We are very thankful for 2011, "when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys."

Editor's Note: Tim Cunningham is the executive director of Tri-Valley Developmental Services, which serves developmentally disabled people in Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson counties.