Just as he had asked us to imagine a better world and to give peace a chance, singer/songwriter John Lennon also posed a question in his 1971 holiday offering “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).”
“And so this is Christmas,” sang the ex-Beatle, “and what have you done?”
What have we done?
It is a question we all pose to ourselves on this day, as the holiday season hits its crescendo, and we move into the final few days of the year.
In Burbank, the volunteers and supporters of the Burbank Coordinating Council have been able to answer that question for over 80 years by knowing they have done something that has made a tremendous difference in the lives of families who, without their care, concern, giving and work, would have seen Christmas slip by without a special dinner and gifts.
Every Christmas season, with assistance from local churches and temples, PTAs, studios, businesses, service clubs, the Burbank Temporary Aid Center, the city of Burbank and individual residents, the Coordinating Council’s Holiday Basket Program matches up families who are in need with those who “adopt” them.