美国方式：帮助他人

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 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。

As the old saying goes, "Charity begins at home"--but it doesn't stop there. Americans are concerned about helping needy people in other countries, as well. The U.S. is often one of the first countries to provide relief to areas of the world in severe need. Many American organizations reach out to suffering people in other countries. Some of them have programs by which donors can sponsor needy children. For a certain amount per month, people can provide these children with food, clothing and education.

正如一句古老的谚语所说：「仁爱从家里开始。」但它却不是就停在那里。美国人也很关心于帮助其它国家中有需要的人们。对于世界各地极需援助的地区，美国经常是首先提出救援的国家之一。很多美国机构向其它国家中的苦难人民伸出援手。捐献者可以透过某些机构中的一些计划去赞助有需要的孩童。人们每个月只要捐出某个特定的数目，就可以提供食物、衣服和教育给这些孩童们。

Americans not only give money to help people in other countries; often they give themselves, as well. Many people serve as volunteers with the Peace Corps for two years to provide assistance in some needy part of the world. They dig wells, help people improve farming techniques, build medical clinics and teach English. In addition, thousands of missionaries from America and other countries have devoted their lives to helping people. They have built schools, hospitals, orphanages and churches in order to share God's love with those in need.

美国人不仅捐钱去帮助其它国家的人，他们常常也会奉献出自己。很多人志愿在「和平工作团」服务两年，去帮助世界上那些需要援助的地方。他们挖水井、帮助人们改善农业技术、盖医疗诊所以及教英文。除此之外，成千上万来自美国及其它国家的宣教士，已投注了他们的生命去帮助别人。他们盖学校、医院、孤儿院和教堂，将上帝的爱跟那些处在困境中的人分享。

As long as there are people in need, helping others will remain an important task. Americans are not the only ones who believe in helping others. People in every culture recognize that being helpful is one of the greatest virtues in life, as well as one of the sweetest joys. The Christmas season is a great time to renew our commitment to help people in need. We never know when we might need a little help ourselves.

只要有人需要援助，帮助别人就仍然是一件重要的事。美国人并不是唯一相信应该帮助别人的人。每一个文化中都会有人体认到，帮助别人是生命中最伟大的美德之一，也是最甜美的喜乐之一。圣诞节是一个绝佳的时机，可以让我们重新许下承诺去帮助有需要的人。我们永远不会知道，什么时候自己可能也需要一点帮助呢？

相关单词：helping

helping解释：n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

helping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。

相关单词：Christians

Christians解释：n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 )

Christians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。

相关单词：hubbub

hubbub解释：n.嘈杂；骚乱

hubbub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。

相关单词：salvation

salvation解释：n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困

salvation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。

相关单词：needy

needy解释：adj.贫穷的，贫困的，生活艰苦的

needy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。

相关单词：civic

civic解释：adj.城市的，都市的，市民的，公民的

civic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。

相关单词：rotary

rotary解释：adj.(运动等)旋转的；轮转的；转动的

rotary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。

相关单词：worthy

worthy解释：adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的

worthy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。

相关单词：donors

donors解释：n.捐赠者( donor的名词复数 )；献血者；捐血者；器官捐献者

donors例句：

Please email us to be removed from our active list of blood donors. 假如你想把自己的名字从献血联系人名单中删去，请给我们发电子邮件。

About half this amount comes from individual donors and bequests. 这笔钱大约有一半来自个人捐赠及遗赠。 来自《简明英汉词典》

相关单词：corps

corps解释：n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组

corps例句：

The medical corps were cited for bravery in combat.医疗队由于在战场上的英勇表现而受嘉奖。

When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

相关单词：missionaries

missionaries解释：n.传教士( missionary的名词复数 )

missionaries例句：

Some missionaries came from England in the Qing Dynasty. 清朝时，从英国来了一些传教士。 来自《简明英汉词典》

The missionaries rebuked the natives for worshipping images. 传教士指责当地人崇拜偶像。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

相关单词：devoted

devoted解释：adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的

devoted例句：

He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。

We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。

相关单词：orphanages

orphanages解释：孤儿院( orphanage的名词复数 )

orphanages例句：

It is Rotarians running orphanages for children who have no homes. 扶轮社员们为没有家的孩子办孤儿院。

Through the years, she built churches, hospitals and orphanages. 许多年来，她盖了一间间的教堂、医院、育幼院。

相关单词：virtues

virtues解释：美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处

virtues例句：

Doctors often extol the virtues of eating less fat. 医生常常宣扬少吃脂肪的好处。

She delivered a homily on the virtues of family life. 她进行了一场家庭生活美德方面的说教。