25 Days Of Good Deeds
Like many people around the holidays, Austin Handler and his family want to get into the true spirit of the season. Finding the best way to give that would not only feel good but also make a real impact became the burning question.
Then a heartbreaking revelation during a chat with a friend who could not afford to buy winter boots for her children this year struck a chord with Mr. Handler. “That’s what really crystallized it. I may not be able to solve world problems, but there’s probably a bunch of little things like that we could do relatively easily,” he said.
Project Santa Claustin was born. (Think Santa Claus plus Austin, a nickname Mr. Handler’s family has given him.) It is a community service initiative focused on completing small good deeds; anyone can participate or suggest a need to be filled. Mr. Handler, a Water Mill resident and designer, said it does not matter if the request is big or small, as long as it helps people and makes a difference in their lives. Ideas range from raking leaves for an elderly person, sponsoring a family at the Retreat, a domestic violence shelter, or making a purchase that will ease a burden for someone who would otherwise go without.
“I’ve been thinking of a way to get our kids involved in some kind of community service project, something that was really hands-on . . . instead of just financially supporting something,” Mr. Handler said. The major world headlines, such as the Syrian refugee crisis or the earthquake in Nepal, are so complex, and while his children took part in some projects through school for worldwide causes, “It’s very disconnected from our lives. It’s hard to wrap your heads around,” he said. “I was trying to think of something more hands-on, community-based.”
Santa Claustin launched with a Facebook page on Dec. 1 with the goal of having the community complete 25 good deeds in the 25 days leading up to Christmas. The first project was suggested by a former resident who relocated to South Carolina and has an elderly disabled neighbor who has no cable, just a television, a DVD player, and three DVDs that he watches over and over. Mr. Handler said he heard from a dozen people, community members here and friends around the country, who dropped off and sent DVDs. Around 100 were shipped off to South Carolina yesterday.
One thing the Santa Claustin project will not be doing is raising money for people, as there are other ways to do that. The project is about “simple, accessible” ways to make “a big difference.”
“The guy on disability, there’s no news headlines about him,” Mr. Handler said. “It’s a very simple concept of taking something that we have lying around that’s not doing anything for us and sending it to someone that could make a nice change in their life.”
Those who wish to participate can follow Santa Claustin on Facebook, or email [email protected]. While the project is off to a slow start this year, Mr. Handler hopes it’s something he and his family can continue next holiday season, or as the need arises throughout the year.