This Scoutmaster minute was given at a troop meeting on December 7. Our troop's theme for the month was Giving and Serving. If you find the sentiments and message useful, please feel free to use it for your organization (with appropriate edits).

Giving and serving…

It seems contradictory to pair them, at least on the surface. But, is it?

Consider – today is Colorado Gives day. Many people save their monetary giving till this day because there are matching funds and the dollars donated go farther. It is giving, at least in terms of money.

And, that is great, but is it what we mean when we pair Giving and Saving. How are we saving if we donate money on this day of giving? Or, should I say who? Think about it for a moment to two.

You have to dig a bit deeper.

A couple of weeks ago, we participated in Scouting for Food. It was a great success. We collected lots of food for the local foodbank.

How did you give? And, how did you save? You gave a few hours of time, gave up the Saturday morning cartoons or a gaming session – it wasn’t much. But you saved many people who might have gone without food, sometimes for days. Your giving of yourself and your time resulted in saving others in times of need.

You see, It isn’t about the money or even the time. It is about how we serve others and see to their needs, sometimes at the expense of our own wants to play a game or spend time in other ways.

As we enter this season of joy and toys and celebration, let us remember that Giving and Saving is part of the message of the season as well. And, remember that others may not be as fortunate as we are.

Shake a hand, open a door, sing a carol, support a toy or food drive. Find a way to make a difference for another – Give your time and save another in a small way, one person and one moment at a time.