It’s time to stop goobers through Season for Sharing

My friends, remember this: Gooberism never sleeps.

Yes, it is time again for the annual Anti-Goober campaign, the Valley 101 arm of The Republic’s Season for Sharing campaign. Season for Sharing is my masters’ yearly uncharacteristic burst of generosity that raises funds for the local nonprofits that help our neighbors in need of a hand up.

So began one of Clay Thompson’s annual appeals, this one in 2015, for his readers to help stop goobers by donating money to Season For Sharing.

You veteran anti-gooberists know the drill, but for those of you new to the battle, a goober is someone who can help but doesn’t. We here at Valley 101 don’t hold much truck with goobers.

Clay wasn’t above rolling out a few heart-tugging stories to get readers in the spirit, like this one:

Years ago, the newsroom of the nowdefunct Phoenix Gazette used to put on a Christmas party for the kids in the homeless shelter on Madison Street.

A few days before the first party, a Gazette delegation visited Grace Wood, the saint who ran the school, to go over the details. The idea was that Grace would get the kids out of the room and when they went back in, there would be Santa and all the presents. The question was where to hide the presents.

“Don’t worry about it,” she said.

“Even if they see the presents, they won’t think they’re for them.”

Can you imagine being a kid so far from hope that you couldn’t believe Santa would bring you a present even if you saw them? Every cent of your gift goes to local groups that help kids like those and others in need.

As always, there are rewards. Donate $500 or more for a chance to win one of several special prize packs. Donate $1,000 or more for a chance to win an even bigger prize pack.

Fill out the form on Page 4A of today’s newspaper or go to sharing.azcentral. com or facebook.com/seasonforsharing. Be sure to check the box for the anti-goober campaign.