It’s almost Christmas. I have to admit: I’m a big fan of christmas holidays. I don’t know, it seems to me that during this period you can breathe a different air in the streets, people looks different. Maybe it’s because of the lights, or because a lot of kids are in the streets and they seem happier than the month before.

I even like to buy some presents for people I love, to prepare christmas tree (Giulia and I were a little bit in advance, since our tree was up and running on november) and to go through Christmas’ markets. I don’t understand why people are so worried to make presents for 150 people because “they have to”. No, you don’t have to, but it’s a long story and I don’t wanna talk about that.

photo by JB Braendel

So, this year was really amazing for me: I moved to Berlin with Giulia, I had and have a nice and warm house, I had an amazing job in an amazing company, I had the possibility of working as SEO even if I am a molecular biologist, I had an amazing team working with me….I mean, AMAZING is the word.

For all these reasons, I decided I wanted to donate something for two reasons: for the very first time I can give some money I earned working; secondly, I simply wanna help somebody.

Looking for a charity was not a simple task to do: many charities have sites full of errors, plus a lot of them did not accept my credit card for some reason and at a certain point I was really frustrated. I wanted to help donating to a charity that is active on building houses in New Orleans, then I went to some charities for helping homeless children out but they seemed not willing to accept my money in a way.

Finally I found a charity called Housing Works . In their website they say:

Housing Works is a healing community of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Our mission is to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts.

I found this project really interesting. First of all they have a really great site, and then the idea of helping homeless or low-income New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS out is a way to do something different and for the others, a thing that too often I forgot to do.

Of course you have like 1000000 other projects and charities, and you cannot help them all, but in my heart it was the right thing to do, even because I love New York and New Yorkers. Last time I was in NYC, few months ago, I helped one homeless in a wheelchair who wasn’t able to go up to the sidewalk because of a damn parked car. And he was so nice with me, thanking like a thousand of time, and I realize then how many times I probably don’t see people who needs a little help.

Anyway, this is my way to say thanks for the amazing and beautiful things I received this year. So, if you have like some bucks to spend, donate them to help people live better. You don’t have to think “What will I receive in exchange?” or “Is it safe to donate online”: for one time, stop being selfish and self-centered and donate!

And after the donation, my thoughts went back to the smiling face of Kevin (I decided that was the name of the homeless I helped in NY): he had nothing, but still he was there smiling at me and thanking me. Hope you’ll have a wonderful Christmas, Kevin.

Happy christmas everyone.

copyright by tuija2005