In 1741, a Dublin charity, assisting impoverished men consigned to debtor’s prison, decided to stage a benefit concert. They commissioned George Frederic Handel, who, according to some biographers, was on the verge of bankruptcy himself, to write a work for their concert. Handel composed the music for “Messiah” in 24 intense days. Its premier performance was such a sell out that concertgoers were urged to not wear hoop skirts or swords to make room for more people. The proceeds from that concert about a great Redeemer redeemed 142 men from their debts.

On the lookout for a benevolent opportunity of your own? The good news is that our area is filled with worthy charities, and you don’t have to compose a new symphonic blockbuster to help them out!

Sandra Pruitt’s office in Seneca’s United Way Building overflowed with remnants of the Christmas party thrown last week for the 30 families of her “Family Friends” program.

As she recounted the details of the remarkable collaboration between Seneca and Grace Baptist Churches, businesses and individual volunteers, a woman from the community carried an armful of presents past Sandra’s door and into the Oconee Volunteer & Information Services (OVIS) office down the hallway. A man followed wheeling a boy’s bike.

The couple had “adopted” some children through the United Way “Christmas Wishes” program run by Joan Patterson. They obtained age and size information on the children, purchased gifts and delivered them to Joan. As of Dec. 10, Over 225 children still needed adopting — call Joan at (864) 882-8889.

For the “Family Friends” program, Sandra Pruitt welcomes volunteers willing to mentor families, tutor children or provide occasional rides to appointments. Call her at (864) 882-3130 and ask what you can do this Christmas or all year long.

Joe Camp from OVIS handed me a green, 20-page booklet with over 50 organizations, volunteer opportunities, contact numbers and needs lists. You can pick up your own free copy of this handy booklet at the OVIS office in the United Way Building at 409 East N. 1st Street in Seneca. A larger companion Directory will be available in 2008.

However, until you get your own booklet, here are some opportunities waiting at your doorstep:

Collect Stuff

Go solo, or gather the resources of your family, neighborhood, office, club or Sunday school class and collect products to deliver to the United Way that will then direct them to needy individuals or other agencies.

Collect diapers, Depends, “Good Start” formula, paper products, cleaning products, children’s books, all sizes of socks, hats, gloves, blankets, and school supplies. Assemble personal hygiene packs for those who find themselves homeless: gallon zip lock bags containing soap, washcloth, shampoo, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and tampons.

One item is as appreciated as one hundred items. What can you do today?

Give Blood

This unique gift of life can be donated in less than an hour at The Blood Connection’s lovely facilities off Hwy 123 across from Staples. Special Holiday Hours are Dec. 17-20; 7 a.m. -7 p.m., food and T-shirts. Regular Hours: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays. Fridays the hours are 10-6. They take walk-ins! For an appointment call 864-882-8364.

Deliver Meals

Seventy-nine-year-old Richard Fields loaded a cooler filled with hot meals into the trunk of his car. “Hello, Mr. Fantastic!” Another volunteer called to him.

He smiled broadly. “God knew my memory was getting wobbly, and that if I did this one day a week, I would forget the day, so I just do it five days a week, or it wouldn’t get done!” And he’s been delivering meals to Seneca homebound seniors for ten years straight. “Family is what I call them.”

Seneca’s best kept secret is the SENIOR Solutions Center at 101 Perry Avenue. Besides providing (through paid staff and volunteers) adult day care, transportation, exercise classes and more opportunities, SENIOR Solutions depends on volunteer drivers to deliver meals. “We deliver 285-300 meals, five days a week, on eight routes in Seneca,” said Center Coordinator Edna Reid. “It takes our drivers about an hour a day, depending on whether they visit or not. A lot of drivers take days, such as each Monday. Right now Fridays are open, and some Wednesday routes.”

Individuals, couples or pairs of friends take on this roughly 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. task week in and week out. Do you have a morning-a-week to spare? Call Edna at 864-885-1510.

Drop a Gift Off at Seneca City Hall

Unwrapped toys can be dropped off upstairs at Seneca City Hall until Dec. 21 for “Marvin’s Kids,” a 27-year-old program that draws together individuals, churches and businesses. Cash donations can be given to Cindy Kelly, Administrative Assistant to Greg Dietterick at City Hall (864-888-0880).

Be Someone’s Lifeline

“I get stories weekly about how this saved someone’s life or helped them after a fall,” said Tina Johnston, Lifeline® Coordinator at Oconee Memorial Hospital. Funds are available for 35 people at a time to be outfitted with the lifeline emergency notification system. “We have a waiting list of 25 people. We offer much more than a response service. We give personal contact and address other needs, connecting them to MD’s, hospice, and community agencies.”

Tina has twice won awards from Philips Lifeline for exceptional performance and caring for seniors. There are needs for donations, volunteers to install the systems (training available), and volunteers to keep in phone-touch with the clients. Call Tina Johnston at 864-885-7309.

Go to a Benefit Concert

And finally, if you would like to get in on a modern-day benefit concert of “Messiah,” you can attend a 3 p.m. performance at The Brooks Center (Clemson University) this Saturday, Dec. 15. Admission is by donation, and proceeds will support Clemson scholarships for music students. Remember to leave your hoop skirts and swords at home!