I think my favorite part of Thanksgiving is that it kicks off the season of giving.

It’s not just the season of giving gifts, but giving time, food, toys, money, etc. to those in need.

I have a friend who spends his whole life giving to others. He has never been one to sit back and watch sad situations unravel; he lives his life following the mantra, “if not you, then who?” and is often the first to jump in and get his hands dirty if it means finding a solution to a problem.

August Garritano, a 2008 Brandywine graduate who returned to Niles after a stint with the Young Americans in California, has been dedicated to the Brandywine/Niles community for as long as I can remember. August has also always been one to ask a lot of questions. When we were younger it was, “How can we make lonely older adults feel less lonely during the holiday season?”

That winter, he organized a small group of choir students to spread some holiday cheer. We went to Silverbrook Nursing Home and sang Christmas carols (and other requests) for hours. I think it cheered the singers up more than the listeners!

As we got older, the questions got more serious: What will happen to students if they don’t have art or music class?

August responded by creating a summer camp, the Performing Arts Workshop, to provide an artistic outlet to students wishing to express themselves, even when art was not offered at the elementary school.

More recently, he asked: How can we feed the children who only eat the lunch they’re served at school?

August has been working with school leaders to create a food bank where families in need can pick up a brown bag meal, with no questions asked.

This weekend, August’s question was the most somber yet: How can we help stop the pain and suffering of the refugees in Greece?

Moved by an issue, August has thrown everything into being part of the solution. This weekend, he decided the only way to truly help ease the crisis would be to go to Greece. As with everything August gives his heart to, he feels the only way to solve the problem is to get his hands dirty, because while he may not have the money to fund a solution, he does have time and skills that could help alleviate some of the issues surrounding the problem.

“I feel called, and I must answer that call. My heart is broken and I’ve always been a firm believe in ‘be the change you wish to see in the world,” August said of his efforts, explaining that he has established contact with missionaries and volunteers, including Euro Relief, which he will join on the island of Lesbos, where thousands of refugees have sought refuge. August plans to do whatever he can to ease the pain of those suffering and offer them a place to live.

To help fund the trip, August has set up a fundraising website to raise $2,000, which would pay for his flight to and from Greece. He plans to spend a month overseas doing whatever he can, and I have no doubt that he will make an impact.

If you’d like to help August’s efforts, you can do so by visiting

generosity.com/volunteer-fundraising/humanitarian-trip-to-greece. If you are unable to help financially, why not follow August’s lead and find your own cause to assist?

This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful to have a friend like August who continues to inspire me, but also for the countless people who feel called to give this season.

 

Ambrosia Neldon is the managing editor at Leader Publications. She can be reached by phone at (269) 687-7713, or by email at ambrosia.neldon@leaderpub.com