Each time the holiday season comes around, I have to clear a little space in the corner of my room to fit my pint-size Christmas tree, a tradition my family has practiced since my birth. Friends, you know the holidays have arrived in Scheeldom when a petite noble fir (this year, mine’s named Norbert) occupies a decent space in each of my siblings’ rooms. It’s kind of our thing,

Anyhow, as I was decorating Norbert with his various ornaments and lights (I am a decorating menace…just peep my family’s mantle one time. ALL ME) I got to thinking about the holidays. Everyone’s spirit seems to be lighter and more open, and it is the one time of year where most people are able to put their other problems aside and focus on those who are less fortunate. Yes, I know: multiple pieces throughout this month will have the same subject, so what makes this one different? Well, The Viking is a sports magazine, and most of its readers are athletes, sports fans, or both. So, it is our place, in the spirit of the season, to give back through the game.

Great example: Skylar Dorosin (’12) was motivated by the giving spirit, and used her water polo expertise as an inspiration to start Project 2020, a charity that teaches water polo to under privileged children. The goal is that one of these new players will embrace the sport and become a member of the 2020 Olympic team. I’ve participated in these clinics, and there is no feeling to adequately describe the feeling of teaching someone a life skill: it is extremely rewarding. Now, I realize that is pretty large scale – with college apps and various homework assignments floating around. I don’t think most of us have time to drop everything and create a charity from scratch. But just because you aren’t the President of Heifer doesn’t mean you can’t lend a helping hand with the holiday spirit! As silly and cliché as it sounds, it’s the little things that count.

If you don’t know that I am a football fan by now, well…have you been living under a rock? Jokes. But the point being, I plan on using that passion for the sport and going out and playing with the neighborhood kids, or other kids who need a good laugh (I’m not a land mammal, remember?) and some exercise. Readers, even if it’s inviting your neighbors over for dinner and the game on T.V., or sharing your spare tickets, these gestures do not go unnoticed. Maybe even start a pick up game somewhere, or cheer on a local team! These are all acts of giving, even if we don’t think of them as such.

So, readers, I encourage you all to get your holiday giving spirit on. I know I will be, and my Christmas list will be much shorter this year: we should be thankful for what we’ve got, and for what we have to share, including a love of sports.

Until next time…Scheel is out.