Helping Others 美国方式：帮助他人

     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 Christians¹, it means Jesus' birthday. Christmas also means lending a helping² hand to people in need. Along with all the hubbub³ of shopping for presents and sending Christmas cards, many people in America take time to help others.

    在美国，圣诞节对不同的人代表了不同的意义。对某些人而言，圣诞节的意义是在布置好的圣诞树底下那些包装得色彩鲜艳的礼物。对另外一些人而言，它的意义则是家人团圆以及共享美好的一餐。对基督徒来说，它代表了耶稣的诞生。圣诞节的意义也是向需要帮助的人伸出援手。在采购礼物及寄送圣诞卡片的一阵忙乱当中，很多美国人仍会拨出时间去帮助别人。

    In America and around the world, Christmas offers many opportunities to spread "peace on earth, good will toward men." For example, Salvation⁴ Army bell ringers are a familiar sight to most Christmas shoppers. They stand outside malls and stores collecting money for the needy⁵. 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.

    在美国及全世界各地，圣诞节提供了很多传扬「平安与世，善意与人」的机会。例如，救世军的摇铃者对大多数为圣诞节购物的人们而言，是一个熟悉的景象。他们通常会站在购物中心和商店外面，为有需要的人募钱。很多教会和其它的机构会收集玩具和衣服，作为穷苦家庭的圣诞礼物。报佳音是另外一种能够将欢乐带给邻舍的传统方式，尤其是针对那些老人和无法常出门的人。圣诞节的精神鼓励人们在许多大大小小的事情上互相帮助。

    The spirit of helping others isn't limited to Christmas, however. Americans help others year-round. Civic⁶ clubs such as the Lion's Club, the Elk's Club and the Rotary⁷ 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 worthy⁸ 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诞节才能发挥。美国人一年到头都在帮助他人。像狮子会(Lion's Club)、角鹿社(Elk's Club)、扶轮社(Rotary Club)这样的市民会社，都参与了地方社区的计划活动。很多机构的设立就是为了要助人。许愿基金会(Make a Wish Foundation)给罹患末期疾病的孩童们一个美梦成真的机会；仁爱之家(Habitat for Humanity)则帮助穷苦的人们建盖属于他们自己的房子。成千上万的美国人除了以金钱支持一些有意义的事情之外，他们也献出自己的时间在医院、流浪者之家和学校作义工服务。

    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.

    在美国，圣诞节对不同的人代表了不同的意义。对某些人而言，圣诞节的意义是在布置好的圣诞树底下那些包装得色彩鲜艳的礼物。对另外一些人而言，它的意义则是家人团圆以及共享美好的一餐。对基督徒来说，它代表了耶稣的诞生。圣诞节的意义也是向需要帮助的人伸出援手。在采购礼物及寄送圣诞卡片的一阵忙乱当中，很多美国人仍会拨出时间去帮助别人。

    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.

    在美国及全世界各地，圣诞节提供了很多传扬「平安与世，善意与人」的机会。例如，救世军的摇铃者对大多数为圣诞节购物的人们而言，是一个熟悉的景象。他们通常会站在购物中心和商店外面，为有需要的人募钱。很多教会和其它的机构会收集玩具和衣服，作为穷苦家庭的圣诞礼物。报佳音是另外一种能够将欢乐带给邻舍的传统方式，尤其是针对那些老人和无法常出门的人。圣诞节的精神鼓励人们在许多大大小小的事情上互相帮助。

    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诞节才能发挥。美国人一年到头都在帮助他人。像狮子会(Lion's Club)、角鹿社(Elk's Club)、扶轮社(Rotary Club)这样的市民会社，都参与了地方社区的计划活动。很多机构的设立就是为了要助人。许愿基金会(Make a Wish Foundation)给罹患末期疾病的孩童们一个美梦成真的机会；仁爱之家(Habitat for Humanity)则帮助穷苦的人们建盖属于他们自己的房子。成千上万的美国人除了以金钱支持一些有意义的事情之外，他们也献出自己的时间在医院、流浪者之家和学校作义工服务。

1 Christians   

n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Christians of all denominations attended the conference. 基督教所有教派的人都出席了这次会议。
• His novel about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. 他关于耶稣的小说激起了基督教徒的公愤。

2 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

3 hubbub   

n.嘈杂；骚乱

参考例句：

• The hubbub of voices drowned out the host's voice.嘈杂的声音淹没了主人的声音。
• He concentrated on the work in hand,and the hubbub outside the room simply flowed over him.他埋头于手头的工作，室外的吵闹声他简直象没有听见一般。

4 salvation   

n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困

参考例句：

• Salvation lay in political reform.解救办法在于政治改革。
• Christians hope and pray for salvation.基督教徒希望并祈祷灵魂得救。

5 needy   

adj.贫穷的，贫困的，生活艰苦的

参考例句：

• Although he was poor,he was quite generous to his needy friends.他虽穷，但对贫苦的朋友很慷慨。
• They awarded scholarships to needy students.他们给贫苦学生颁发奖学金。

6 civic   

adj.城市的，都市的，市民的，公民的

参考例句：

• I feel it is my civic duty to vote.我认为投票选举是我作为公民的义务。
• The civic leaders helped to forward the project.市政府领导者协助促进工程的进展。

7 rotary   

adj.(运动等)旋转的；轮转的；转动的

参考例句：

• The central unit is a rotary drum.核心设备是一个旋转的滚筒。
• A rotary table helps to optimize the beam incidence angle.一张旋转的桌子有助于将光线影响之方式角最佳化。

8 worthy   

adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的

参考例句：

• I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
• There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。