December is a month of long winter nights, snow, cold — and great beauty. It’s a month filled with celebrations and longstanding traditions of giving and receiving gifts.
Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, many of our celebrations will have to be put on hold, and traditions will have to be shared virtually.
Looking toward the horizon, we can see a glimmer of brighter days. We know something is coming. We can feel it in our bones. In a couple days, on Dec. 21 to be exact, our days will indeed grow sunnier as we slowly move onward toward longer and warmer days. With indefatigable human optimism, we remain watchful in anticipation for promised relief from a very troubling year.
Yet, in the midst of all our troubles, we hold our heads up high. In a year when seemingly insurmountable challenge upon challenge exhausted our bodies and souls, we answered with inspiring examples of kindness, compassion, and charity.
Twice this year, the Depot Foundation answered the acute need of many of the arts and culture nonprofits who call the Historic Depot home by awarding more than $141,000 in grants to pay salaries, rent, and utilities when revenue-generating programs and productions were canceled due to the pandemic.
ADVERTISEMENT
Our friends at the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation also rallied donors to bolster our community’s social service nonprofits with a highly successful campaign that directed much-needed funding to keep our communities strong, healthy, and vibrant.
Of course, neither of our two charities can do this amount of good alone. Countless donors who gave to our two charities empowered us to create this good, and we appreciate them all.
December is a time of the year when we are all asked to be a bit more generous. As you contemplate year-end gifts, please consider supporting any number of local charities that call our region their home. No matter the size of your gift, it is the act of giving that will help set the world aright and ready us for brighter days.
Rob Hofmann of Duluth is a board member for the Depot Foundation.
