英语六级必读美文010：美国人的帮助方式

　　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，圣诞节的意义在于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。同时，圣诞节的意义也在于向需要帮助的人伸出援助之手。在采购礼物及寄送圣诞卡片的一阵忙乱当中，很多美国人仍会抽出时间去帮助别人。

　　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 slght 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 neiShbors-especially the elderly and people who cant 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 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，为有需要的人募捐。很多教会和其他的机构会收集玩具和衣服，将其作为穷苦家庭的圣诞礼物上门唱圣诞颂歌是另钋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 isnt limited to Christmas ,however,Americans help others year-round. Civic clubs such as the Lions Club, the Elks Club and the Rotary Club take part in local community projects. Manyorganizations exist just to help others. The Make a Wish Foundation gives terminaIly ill childrena chance to have their dreams come true. Habitat for Humanity helps poor people build their own houses. And besides supporting worthy causes with their money, thousands ofAmericans donate their time by serving 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。美国人年到头都在帮助他人口像狮子会、角鹿社、扶轮社这样的市民会社，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帮助他人。许愿基金会给罹患末期疾病的儿童们一个美梦成真的机会;仁爱之家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 doesnt stop there. Americans are concerned about helping needy people in other countries, as weU. 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 ofthem 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。_但它不是就停留在那里。美国人也很关心于帮助其他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。很多美国机构向其他国家中的苦难人民伸出援助之手。捐献者可以通过某些机构中的一些援助计划去赞助有需要的儿童。人们每个月只要捐出某个特定的数目，就可以提供食物、衣服和教育给这些儿童们。

　　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 nussionaries from America and other countries have devoted their lives to helping people. They have built schools, hospitals, orphanages and churches in order to share Gods love with those in need.

　　美国人不仅捐钱去帮助其他国家的人，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他国家的传教士，已将自己献身于帮助别人之中。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。每一种文化中都会有人体会到，帮助别人是生命中最伟大的美德之一，也是最甜美的喜悦之一。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 点帮助呢?