DG Dave's Corner December 2024
It just seemed like the other day when I was writing for the month of November. For many of us this is a very busy time of the year. The result of the work we do for the holiday seasons we receive joy and happiness being with family and friends. For most of us living in the United States, Christmas is the holiday we concentrate on. I did some research and came up with a list of the different holidays celebrated in December.
Here are some notable holidays and observances that occur in December:
- Hanukkah - The Jewish Festival of Lights, which usually falls in December (dates vary each year).
- Christmas - Celebrated on December 25, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.
- Kwanzaa - Celebrated from December 26 to January 1, honoring African heritage and culture.
- New Year's Eve - Celebrated on December 31, marking the last day of the year.
- Winter Solstice - Occurs around December 21 or 22, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Festivus - A secular holiday celebrated on December 23 as an alternative to Christmas.
- Boxing Day - Celebrated on December 26 in some countries, particularly in the UK and Canada.
- St. Nicholas Day - Celebrated on December 6 in some cultures, honoring St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children.
These holidays may vary in significance and celebration depending on cultural and regional practices.
Ann & I both were brought up Roman Catholic so we celebrate Christmas religiously and secularly. Since in Rotary we are an organization which recognizes all persons no matter what their religious or political beliefs this time of year enjoy the holiday season.
The Rotary theme for the month of December is Disease Prevention and Treatment. Rotary supports activities that reduce the causes and effects of disease. We enable members to prevent and treat disease and support people’s health by promoting projects that limit the spread of communicable diseases, reduce the incidence and effect of noncommunicable diseases, and strengthen health care systems.
We can accomplish our goals in disease prevention and treatment by:
• Improving the capacity of local health care professionals
• Promoting disease prevention and treatment programs that limit the spread of communicable diseases and reduce the incidence and effect of noncommunicable diseases
• Strengthening health care systems
• Providing clinical treatment and rehabilitation for physical disabilities
• Funding graduate scholarships for career-minded professionals related to disease prevention and treatment
As Rotarians we focus our efforts in this area working on the eradication of polio. Yet we must also focus our efforts to ourselves.
We cannot help others if we suffer, so make sure to take time to focus on both your physical and mental health in this stressful holiday season.
On November 12, Ann & I had the pleasure to dedicate a peace pole in the village of Spencerport. As many of you heard from visit to your club, I making peace one of my priorities in my Governor year. Consider planting a peace pole in your community. Peace is not just an international effort, but also within ourselves. Please reach out to a person in your life, who you no longer have a relationship with due to different circumstances, and try to reconnect. Rotarians are People of Action and we can make a difference in our world regarding peace.
