Stop Playing: Your Community Needs You Just as Much as Your Family Does This Holiday Season

Special Commentary by Dakota Jones

Hey Fam, I’m gonna be real with you right now. Today I’m breaking from my regular programming to share something more personal—a reflection on family, life, and the art of being thankful as we enter this holiday season.

Halloween’s in the rearview, Thanksgiving’s pulling up, and then we’ve got Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s coming in hot. This is literally the perfect time to hit pause on the chaos and actually think about where we’ve been, what we’ve survived, and where we’re headed next.

Let’s Keep It 100: Self-Care Isn’t Optional

The holidays are both a time of reflection and a time to give thanks. We’re often reminded to be grateful for what we have and to remember those less fortunate. That’s important, absolutely. But I also believe we should give thanks to ourselves—for the progress we’ve made, for the changes we’ve endured, and for the resilience we’ve shown throughout the year.

Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s survival. And if you made it through this year? You deserve your flowers now, not later.

No Cap: Your Roots Made You Who You Are

When I was teaching, I always told my students that everywhere you will ever go, people ask two fundamental questions: What is your name? and Where are you from?

And honestly? Those questions hit differently when you really think about them. Your roots—the place that raised you, the experiences that shaped you (good, bad, and ugly)—all of that made you who you are today. Whether your journey was smooth or rough, whether you had support or had to figure it out solo, all of it counts. Your story isn’t just background noise—it’s the whole vibe. So honor where you came from. Give thanks for the journey, not just the destination. Your story matters. Own it unapologetically.

                                                            Photo by Jerry Maher for iHeart Oswego

It’s Giving Community—And We Need to Show Up

During this season, I encourage all of us to look beyond our immediate families and embrace our community as a whole. Our neighbors. Our local organizations. The people working tirelessly behind the scenes to make our towns better, safer, and more compassionate.

Think about the mechanisms that support us every day:

• Lions Club and Rotary Club members who serve with dedication
• Catholic Charities and other faith-based organizations working to support citizens in times of need
• Teachers who pour their hearts into educating our children
• Police officers who risk their lives to protect and serve
• Firefighters who run toward danger to save others

These are the pillars of our community. They deserve our gratitude and our support. Period.

                                                            Photo by Dakota Jones for iHeart Oswego

The Main Character Energy: Organizations Doing the Work

I want to shine a special light on Erin’s Angels, an organization focused on serving the children of our community by assisting families with clothing, food, and essential supplies.

Recently, many families have been affected by government shutdowns and SNAP benefit reductions. Erin’s Angels has stepped up to bridge that gap, ensuring families have food during some of the most stressful times—times marked by food insecurity and uncertainty.

This Sunday, From 12:00 pm till 4:00 pm Erin’s Angels is hosting its annual Friendsgiving event at Home Team Pub (17900 Oswego Rd., Liverpool, NY). I invite the entire community to come out, fellowship with your neighbors, and enjoy a good meal together.

Photo by Dakota Jones for iHeart Oswego

The Whole Vibe: A Holiday Call to Action

As we navigate this holiday season, I encourage you to:

• Get out and engage with your community
• Support local organizations doing meaningful work
• Thank yourself for making it through another year
• Remember that community and self both deserve gratitude

In a time when our nation feels divided—politically, socially, and sometimes even spiritually—let’s choose peace. Let’s choose happiness. Let’s choose togetherness.

The holidays aren’t just about family dinners and gift exchanges. They’re about recognizing our shared humanity, lifting each other up, and building a community where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported.

So as you sit down at your holiday table this year, remember: You deserve thanks. Your community deserves thanks. And together, we can create a season—and a future—filled with hope, understanding, and love.

Don’t just survive the holidays. Thrive in them. Show up. Show out. And most importantly—show love.

Happy Holidays to all.