REV. ADAM MCKINNEY: THE GIVING SEASON >>>

We at the Weekly Volcano are unselfish, socially aware, philanthropic folk. We like to give back (the very definition of philanthropic, if you will). As such, around this time of year we all get together and sing “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” in joyous unison. But we’re only one massive, symbiotic unit. There’s only so much we can do.

It’s time for you to give back.

4th Annual World AIDS Day Harmony Benefit Drag Show
Pacific Lutheran University students and alumni will be coming together in its Columbia Center Conference Room Friday, Dec. 4, 7-10 p.m., to benefit the Pierce County AIDS Foundation. On that night, ladies will be men and men will be ladies. Extra points should go to ladies pretending to be men pretending to be ladies. It’s not easy. As you probably know, the show will be comprised of drag queens and kings lip-synching absolutely fabulous songs. The cover is only $1, but donations will be accepted throughout the night. But if you take a shine to any of the performers, tips are also accepted and subsequently donated.

Steve Stefanowicz Plays Everything He Knows
Saturday, Dec. 5 you can catch Steve Stefanowicz at the Mandolin Café. Bring some non-perishable food along with you, as this performance will benefit the Food Connection. Stefanowicz, it seems, fancies himself a “Human Jukebox.” He claims to know more than a thousand songs, and the Mandolin aims to put him to the test. Starting at noon, he will play and play and play until he runs out of songs. Audience members are encouraged to make requests, taking this challenge up a notch or two. You know what I’d request? “MacArthur Park” by Richard Harris. Even if he could play it, why would he want to? Tire him out early and often.

Saturday Night Feed!
It’s easy to forget, with all this Black Friday, gift-givin’, eggnog-drinkin’ mumbo jumbo that Christmas is supposed to be about Jesus. (Christ, that is. Black gold. Texas tea.) If that’s your bag, then you’d be hard-pressed to find a more suitable way to give back than to visit the Saturday Night Feed. True, this happens every Saturday, but the holiday season is the toughest time of year for the homeless, the beneficiaries of this charitable event. On Saturday nights, the homeless gather at the Tacoma Rescue Mission, where they are given clothes and food. Meanwhile, StreetLight performs for them and the volunteers. I’ve listened to StreetLight and, as far as Christian rock bands go, they’re actually pretty good.

Friends of the Holidays
The next day, Friends of the Holidays hosts a super-gigantic bash inside The Swiss. Sunday, Dec. 6, 1-10:30 p.m., nine (count ‘em nine!) bands will gather and rock the Christmas spirit into you. Your $10 donation gets you admission, and raffles and silent auctions round out the evening to ensure that just about everyone leaves with some goodies. In between beers and ear-shattering sets, you sit comfortably knowing that you’ve contributed to a cause that provides aid to underprivileged families.

Look, these times are tough for everyone, but if you can have a fun night out while also making someone else’s life a little better, I’d call that Yahtzee.