Here we are Portage, the last day of 2008. For most it would seem to be the end of one of the worst years we have seen in a very long time in Portage and the whole country. But I tend to look at things with rose-colored glasses when it comes to the city. I look to find the good rather than looking for fault at every turn in life.

Someone asked me recently if I believe in angels. Now I've had this conversation with many people and it usually ends up the same way. I believe we have angels here on earth, watching over us to help us through not only the really bad stuff but some of the little things we don't even give a second thought.

I believe angels come to us as in the holiday classic, "The Bishop's Wife." You know they are here but you don't remember them once their work is through. The angel, Dudley is played by Cary Grant and comes to a Bishop played by David Niven to show him what his priorities should be in his situation. Times were hard in this movie as well. Turns out the thing the Bishop needed to do was to help the less fortunate and not build a big cathedral as he had planned. The definition of an angel by Webster's standard is a spiritual being superior to man; a messenger or a person held to resemble an angel. So, the old adage of "some people are put into your life for a reason" rings true.

I believe all the people out there doing all the great things that have made this city what is today are in a way angelic. They are not always there but they are there when called to help.

True, it's been rough this year but this year more than ever people have donated as much or more and given just as much time if not more to help this community strive to be the best in Northwest Indiana.

I'm asking the community again to be angelic and try to get involved in a volunteer organization to help our community continue to be the great city it's become these last 40 years. These organizations can always use more hands to get the job done.

Now, I know that everyone has a busy lifestyle and more work is being put on each worker every day but think about all the good you can do and feel helping out one of these fine organizations. Here are a few that I can personally recommend: Rebuilding Together, Portage Food Pantry, Gabriel's Horn, Portage Garden Club, Izaak Walton League, Kiwanis Club, Lupus Foundation of America, Portage Community Theatre, Portage Exchange Club, Portage Lions Club, Portage Park Foundation, Portage Resale Shop, Portage Tri-Kappa, Portage Township YMCA, Pride in Portage, Relay for Life, Rotary Club and the Portage Historical Society.

Please get in there and get involved and if your out celebrating tonight please make sure you have a designated driver on hand.

Happy New Year, Portage!

The opinions expressed solely are those of the writer.She can be reached at (219) 764-2187 or robinwilkening@remax.net.