美國生活：美國人關于幫助他人的觀念

christmas in america means different things to different people. to some people, christmas means brightly wrapped packages under a decorated tree. to others, it means family reunions and a wonderful meal together. to christians, it means jesus' birthday. christmas also means lending a helping hand to people in need. along with all the hubbub of shopping for presents and sending christmas cards, many people in america take time to help others.

在美國，圣誕節對不同的人代表了不同的意義。對某些人而言，圣誕節的意義是在布置好的圣誕樹底下那些包裝得色彩鮮艷的禮物。對另外一些人而言，它的意義則是家人團圓以及共享美好的一餐。對基督徒來說，它代表了耶穌的誕生。圣誕節的意義也是向需要幫助的人伸出援手。在采購禮物及寄送圣誕卡片的一陣忙亂當中，很多美國人仍會撥出時間去幫助別人。

in america and around the world, christmas offers many opportunities to spread "peace on earth, good will toward men." for example, salvation army bell ringers are a familiar sight to most christmas shoppers. they stand outside malls and stores collecting money for the needy. many churches and other organizations collect toys and clothes as christmas gifts for poor families. going caroling is another traditional way to bring cheer to neighbors——especially the elderly and people who can't get out much. the christmas spirit encourages people to help each other in many large and small ways.

在美國及全世界各地，圣誕節提供了很多傳揚「平安與世，善意與人」的機會。例如，救世軍的搖鈴者對大多數為圣誕節購物的人們而言，是一個熟悉的景象。他們通常會站在購物中心和商店外面，為有需要的人募錢。很多教會和其它的機構會收集玩具和衣服，作為窮苦家庭的圣誕禮物。報佳音是另外一種能夠將歡樂帶給鄰舍的傳統方式，尤其是針對那些老人和無法常出門的人。圣誕節的精神鼓勵人們在許多大大小小的事情上互相幫助。

the spirit of helping others isn't limited to christmas, however. americans help others year-round. civic clubs such as the lion's club, the elk's club and the rotary club take part in local community projects. many organizations exist just to help others. the make a wish foundation gives terminally ill children a chance to have their dream come true. habitat for humanity helps poor people build their own houses. and besides supporting worthy causes with their money, thousands of americans donate their time by serving as volunteers in hospitals, homeless shelters and schools.

然而，助人的精神并不只有在圣誕節才能發揮。美國人一年到頭都在幫助他人。像獅子會(lion's club)、角鹿社(elk's club)、扶輪社(rotary club)這樣的市民會社，都參與了地方社區的計劃活動。很多機構的設立就是為了要助人。許愿基金會(make a wish foundation)給罹患末期疾病的孩童們一個美夢成真的機會;仁愛之家(habitat for humanity)則幫助窮苦的人們建蓋屬于他們自己的房子。成千上萬的美國人除了以金錢支持一些有意義的事情之外，他們也獻出自己的時間在醫院、流浪者之家和學校作義工服務。

christmas in america means different things to different people. to some people, christmas means brightly wrapped packages under a decorated tree. to others, it means family reunions and a wonderful meal together. to christians, it means jesus' birthday. christmas also means lending a helping hand to people in need. along with all the hubbub of shopping for presents and sending christmas cards, many people in america take time to help others.

在美國，圣誕節對不同的人代表了不同的意義。對某些人而言，圣誕節的意義是在布置好的圣誕樹底下那些包裝得色彩鮮艷的禮物。對另外一些人而言，它的意義則是家人團圓以及共享美好的一餐。對基督徒來說，它代表了耶穌的誕生。圣誕節的意義也是向需要幫助的人伸出援手。在采購禮物及寄送圣誕卡片的一陣忙亂當中，很多美國人仍會撥出時間去幫助別人。

in america and around the world, christmas offers many opportunities to spread "peace on earth, good will toward men." for example, salvation army bell ringers are a familiar sight to most christmas shoppers. they stand outside malls and stores collecting money for the needy. many churches and other organizations collect toys and clothes as christmas gifts for poor families. going caroling is another traditional way to bring cheer to neighbors——especially the elderly and people who can't get out much. the christmas spirit encourages people to help each other in many large and small ways.

在美國及全世界各地，圣誕節提供了很多傳揚「平安與世，善意與人」的機會。例如，救世軍的搖鈴者對大多數為圣誕節購物的人們而言，是一個熟悉的景象。他們通常會站在購物中心和商店外面，為有需要的人募錢。很多教會和其它的機構會收集玩具和衣服，作為窮苦家庭的圣誕禮物。報佳音是另外一種能夠將歡樂帶給鄰舍的傳統方式，尤其是針對那些老人和無法常出門的人。圣誕節的精神鼓勵人們在許多大大小小的事情上互相幫助。

the spirit of helping others isn't limited to christmas, however. americans help others year-round. civic clubs such as the lion's club, the elk's club and the rotary club take part in local community projects. many organizations exist just to help others. the make a wish foundation gives terminally ill children a chance to have their dream come true. habitat for humanity helps poor people build their own houses. and besides supporting worthy causes with their money, thousands of americans donate their time by serving as volunteers in hospitals, homeless shelters and schools.

然而，助人的精神并不只有在圣誕節才能發揮。美國人一年到頭都在幫助他人。像獅子會(lion's club)、角鹿社(elk's club)、扶輪社(rotary club)這樣的市民會社，都參與了地方社區的計劃活動。很多機構的設立就是為了要助人。許愿基金會(make a wish foundation)給罹患末期疾病的孩童們一個美夢成真的機會;仁愛之家(habitat for humanity)則幫助窮苦的人們建蓋屬于他們自己的房子。成千上萬的美國人除了以金錢支持一些有意義的事情之外，他們也獻出自己的時間在醫院、流浪者之家和學校作義工服務。

christmas in america means different things to different people. to some people, christmas means brightly wrapped packages under a decorated tree. to others, it means family reunions and a wonderful meal together. to christians, it means jesus' birthday. christmas also means lending a helping hand to people in need. along with all the hubbub of shopping for presents and sending christmas cards, many people in america take time to help others.

在美國，圣誕節對不同的人代表了不同的意義。對某些人而言，圣誕節的意義是在布置好的圣誕樹底下那些包裝得色彩鮮艷的禮物。對另外一些人而言，它的意義則是家人團圓以及共享美好的一餐。對基督徒來說，它代表了耶穌的誕生。圣誕節的意義也是向需要幫助的人伸出援手。在采購禮物及寄送圣誕卡片的一陣忙亂當中，很多美國人仍會撥出時間去幫助別人。

in america and around the world, christmas offers many opportunities to spread "peace on earth, good will toward men." for example, salvation army bell ringers are a familiar sight to most christmas shoppers. they stand outside malls and stores collecting money for the needy. many churches and other organizations collect toys and clothes as christmas gifts for poor families. going caroling is another traditional way to bring cheer to neighbors——especially the elderly and people who can't get out much. the christmas spirit encourages people to help each other in many large and small ways.

在美國及全世界各地，圣誕節提供了很多傳揚「平安與世，善意與人」的機會。例如，救世軍的搖鈴者對大多數為圣誕節購物的人們而言，是一個熟悉的景象。他們通常會站在購物中心和商店外面，為有需要的人募錢。很多教會和其它的機構會收集玩具和衣服，作為窮苦家庭的圣誕禮物。報佳音是另外一種能夠將歡樂帶給鄰舍的傳統方式，尤其是針對那些老人和無法常出門的人。圣誕節的精神鼓勵人們在許多大大小小的事情上互相幫助。

the spirit of helping others isn't limited to christmas, however. americans help others year-round. civic clubs such as the lion's club, the elk's club and the rotary club take part in local community projects. many organizations exist just to help others. the make a wish foundation gives terminally ill children a chance to have their dream come true. habitat for humanity helps poor people build their own houses. and besides supporting worthy causes with their money, thousands of americans donate their time by serving as volunteers in hospitals, homeless shelters and schools.

然而，助人的精神并不只有在圣誕節才能發揮。美國人一年到頭都在幫助他人。像獅子會(lion's club)、角鹿社(elk's club)、扶輪社(rotary club)這樣的市民會社，都參與了地方社區的計劃活動。很多機構的設立就是為了要助人。許愿基金會(make a wish foundation)給罹患末期疾病的孩童們一個美夢成真的機會;仁愛之家(habitat for humanity)則幫助窮苦的人們建蓋屬于他們自己的房子。成千上萬的美國人除了以金錢支持一些有意義的事情之外，他們也獻出自己的時間在醫院、流浪者之家和學校作義工服務。

christmas in america means different things to different people. to some people, christmas means brightly wrapped packages under a decorated tree. to others, it means family reunions and a wonderful meal together. to christians, it means jesus' birthday. christmas also means lending a helping hand to people in need. along with all the hubbub of shopping for presents and sending christmas cards, many people in america take time to help others.

在美國，圣誕節對不同的人代表了不同的意義。對某些人而言，圣誕節的意義是在布置好的圣誕樹底下那些包裝得色彩鮮艷的禮物。對另外一些人而言，它的意義則是家人團圓以及共享美好的一餐。對基督徒來說，它代表了耶穌的誕生。圣誕節的意義也是向需要幫助的人伸出援手。在采購禮物及寄送圣誕卡片的一陣忙亂當中，很多美國人仍會撥出時間去幫助別人。

in america and around the world, christmas offers many opportunities to spread "peace on earth, good will toward men." for example, salvation army bell ringers are a familiar sight to most christmas shoppers. they stand outside malls and stores collecting money for the needy. many churches and other organizations collect toys and clothes as christmas gifts for poor families. going caroling is another traditional way to bring cheer to neighbors——especially the elderly and people who can't get out much. the christmas spirit encourages people to help each other in many large and small ways.

在美國及全世界各地，圣誕節提供了很多傳揚「平安與世，善意與人」的機會。例如，救世軍的搖鈴者對大多數為圣誕節購物的人們而言，是一個熟悉的景象。他們通常會站在購物中心和商店外面，為有需要的人募錢。很多教會和其它的機構會收集玩具和衣服，作為窮苦家庭的圣誕禮物。報佳音是另外一種能夠將歡樂帶給鄰舍的傳統方式，尤其是針對那些老人和無法常出門的人。圣誕節的精神鼓勵人們在許多大大小小的事情上互相幫助。

the spirit of helping others isn't limited to christmas, however. americans help others year-round. civic clubs such as the lion's club, the elk's club and the rotary club take part in local community projects. many organizations exist just to help others. the make a wish foundation gives terminally ill children a chance to have their dream come true. habitat for humanity helps poor people build their own houses. and besides supporting worthy causes with their money, thousands of americans donate their time by serving as volunteers in hospitals, homeless shelters and schools.

然而，助人的精神并不只有在圣誕節才能發揮。美國人一年到頭都在幫助他人。像獅子會(lion's club)、角鹿社(elk's club)、扶輪社(rotary club)這樣的市民會社，都參與了地方社區的計劃活動。很多機構的設立就是為了要助人。許愿基金會(make a wish foundation)給罹患末期疾病的孩童們一個美夢成真的機會;仁愛之家(habitat for humanity)則幫助窮苦的人們建蓋屬于他們自己的房子。成千上萬的美國人除了以金錢支持一些有意義的事情之外，他們也獻出自己的時間在醫院、流浪者之家和學校作義工服務。