(Submitted Photo)

Dear Friends,

I like to write these like we are friends who are catching up after a long week, maybe enjoying a cup of coffee or glass of wine. We’re excited and happy to see each other, the stress of the week is starting to fade away and we can’t wait to hear what the other person has been up to.

It’s kind of different this week, because “Keep Calm and Kerri On” has found a new home with The Evening Sun, and now I have more friends to talk to each week.

This is so exciting and the opportunity to speak with more people about our work at Commerce Chenango, about my adventures around the county and, yes, you are going to get to know more about me and my family and friends.

If you would like to read any of my previous blogs, you can find them on the Commerce Chenango website or through one of our social media channels.

First, if you’ve been worried about me after last week’s “Blue Christmas” blog, I am happy to report that I found some of my holiday cheer. I’m still not sporting the ‘Cheermeister’ crown, but I did start decorating, we finally got our Christmas tree, and I took a much needed day off on Friday and did some more of my holiday shopping. I have not finished my family calendar, but I did start to work on it.

After my blog last week, I was surprised by how many people shared that they were feeling the same way and thanked me for my honesty. It got me thinking about this and how we are often reluctant to show people our true selves and are often afraid to feel vulnerable. A dear friend of mine reminded me that feelings are not right or wrong and there shouldn’t be guilt associated with not behaving or acting as others expect you to.

I have an idea for those of you who are feeling a little blue this holiday season and need a pick me up. It’s something so easy to do, easy to access and I guarantee will give you a rush like you haven’t had in a while. Ready? Volunteering, making a donation or finding a way to give back to those in need. It’s seems so obvious, right?

So many families are struggling this year, and for many reasons. Some have lost their jobs, others can’t work, some are struggling to make ends meet, and many people are just living paycheck to paycheck and the holiday season is looming over them like a dark cloud. Especially if they have children they are trying to provide gifts for. We often forget about these people and while this time of year brings out the bell-ringers, Toys for Tot boxes and traditional giving trees at churches and businesses, do we ever really stop and think about what kind of stress this time of year can have on those who struggle all year around? There are wonderful organizations around Chenango County that work all year long to provide food, clothing, vouchers and financial assistance to the less fortunate. I’d be remiss if I forgot to list anyone (and I know there are many), but organizations like Catholic Charities of Chenango County, the United Way of Chenango County, Helping Hands Norwich, Opportunities for Chenango, The Place, soup kitchens, clothing drives, consignment stores … the list goes on and on and on. I think most of us get busy with our own lives and we don’t really give these organizations a thought until the holidays roll around. That’s ok, I am not throwing Catholic, Italian guilt at you (yes, I am inherently filled with Catholic, Italian guilt … my peeps will understand how this basically rules your life), but I think it’s important to make an effort to help where we can.

I am proud of the Holiday Food Drive-Thru Distribution event that Commerce Chenango, SUNY Morrisville Norwich Campus and NBT Bank initiated for this coming Friday, December 18th. When I think about how we put our heads together to find a way to give back to those in need, we raised $12,000 in a matter of days, got businesses to help us with discounts on food, got volunteers to help in days … it makes me so happy and gooey inside! We are able to provide 400 complete holiday meals to families across Chenango County. I also appreciate that when we made the call for help, we barely had to get the words out before people answered. So places like Chobani, The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce, Helping Hands Norwich, Sherburne Big M, Price Chopper Norwich, Great American in Sidney, Smith’s Quality Eggs, Nina’s, and McCraith Beverages are all combining forces to help give back to those who need it most.

There are many ways you can give back to those who need it; find a Toys for Tots drop off location (Commerce Chenango is one, but there are many around the county), make a donation to one of the organizations I noted above, send holiday greeting cards to those in nursing homes around the county (many will not see their loved ones this holiday season), stop by the Cottage Bakery in Norwich and make a donation to their Giving Tree, volunteer at a food bank, donate a book or gift through an online program. Really, I could sit here all day and tell you ways you can give back, but I think you get the picture.

I am grateful to be able to share a little bit about myself, the work of Commerce Chenango and the amazing things that are happening in Chenango County with you. Thank you for taking time to read my blog this week, and I look forward to chatting again next week and catching up with my new friends.

Be well, Chenango.

Kerri