Time to help: There are plenty of places that could use a dollar or two

The need in this community this year has been nothing short of astonishing.

In addition to those who seem to fall through the cracks annually, there is a whole new list of people who need help and who have never had to ask for it before.

And that means that there are some people who will not be able to get that help because the need is just too great and there are not enough places with the resources necessary to fill that need.

There are many ways you can help -- you can donate to the Empty Stocking Fund, you can send a toy to one of the local charities, or you can drop off a donation of food to the Soup Kitchen and clothing or money to The Salvation Army.

And the amount doesn't matter either. Whether you have a dollar or $10, the sharing of a little Christmas spirit with someone less fortunate is all that matters.

So as local organizations struggle to meet the need this year and to make sure that no one who is really in distress is turned away, it behooves those of us who have enough to eat, heat in our houses and the chance to give a holiday gift to someone we love to offer a little support.

If we all take care of each other, and dig a little deeper this year, we can make sure that there are very few, if any, houses this Christmas that will be without a little cheer.

And that, not the gifts under our own trees, is what Christmas is really about.

Published in Editorials on December 18, 2009 10:40 AM