We need you: In two days, the newspaper will play Santa Claus -- want to help?

We try to teach our children that Christmas is about giving -- that it's not about how many gifts they find tucked under the tree.

But as we pass on that simple tradition, we do so with the knowledge that our little ones will, indeed, have something to unwrap on Christmas morning, that they will get to run down the stairs and stand, wide-eyed, in front of Santa's offerings and wonder just how his magic works.

But that dream does not come true for every child.

There are more than 600 children on the Empty Stocking Fund list this year -- all of whom have little hope of finding anything under their families' holiday trees.

Our party for them is an annual wake-up call -- a chance for those of us who are lucky enough not to be in doubt that there will be a Christmas to see the joy in the eyes of these needy children who do not know if Santa will visit their homes this year.

And for generations, you have been a key part of making those dreams come true.

Donations have been flooding in since we kicked off our annual Christmas drive -- some in memory of loved ones who have passed, others in honor of little boys and girls who know that the spirit of giving is what makes Dec. 25 such a meaningful day.

But as this weekend's party draws near, we need your help to reach our goal -- and to make sure that we continue to pass on the legacy of service to those in need set by the savior the holiday is meant to honor.

There is still time to help. Send your donation to P.O. Box 10629, Goldsboro, N.C. 27532. All of the money will go to the children -- nowhere else.

And thank you to all of you who have made so many dreams come true for so many years. You have, and do, make a real difference.

Have a blessed Christmas.

Published in Editorials on December 12, 2013 10:31 AM