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In a matter of days the bellringers will be stationed at Wal-Mart with their buckets, collecting donations for those in need. Other organizations in the community will also be collecting toys, food, clothing, and donations for those in need. The need this season is greater than ever as so many are trying to recover from losses inflicted by Hurricane Helene.

As we prepare for Thanksgiving and Christmas, we need to take a moment to think about the folks in our community who have suffered loss and could use a helping hand this year. 

First, let us say “thank you” to the many individuals and organizations within the community and from other towns, cities, and states who have joined in helping in the clean-up efforts in the aftermath of the flood. They have not only given of themselves, but of their resources. Truckloads of food, cleaning supplies, and other essentials have been donated and distributed to those in need in the community. It has shown us what community is all about and that it has no boundaries. Love and thanksgiving reaches across the miles.

Also, as we enter this holiday season, let us pause and remember that every year, there are families in our community – not just when it floods – who struggle with the things that we can often take for granted. In particular, putting food on the table and having gifts to give their children.

Thankfully, there are programs in our community to help mitigate these difficulties for families.

So this year, if doing so would not cause hardships, we ask our readers to consider making a donation of some kind to one of those programs.

Some of our suggestions as where to donate include:

– Hale Community Ministry, operated by the Watauga Association of Baptist. They are collecting food items for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Watauga Association will be distributing Christmas bags door-to-door at Lynnwood and Lynnridge Apartments as well as Christmas backpacks to families and children at Pine Ridge and South Hills Apartments.

– TLC in Elizabeththon provides food, clothing and supplies to people in need. It’s a good place to donate, as the Center is there through both difficult and great times, providing help and encouragement to families.

– Loaves and Fishes Outreach in Elizabethton. The organization serves hot meals five days a week made fresh in their kitchen at 1900 19E Bypass. According to its website, “The mission of Loaves & Fishes Meal Ministry is to provide a free, daily meal to anyone in the community of Elizabethton or Carter County that needs or wants one. To serve that meal with a servant’s heart and respect. And to ensure that the meal provided is of the best quality our organization can provide.”

– Salvation Army. Whether it is as a bellringer or adopting an angel from one of their Angel Trees. One of the simplest – and most effective – ways is to give through the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign, which will get underway the day after Thanksgiving, bringing with it the sounds of ringing bells and joyful hearts.

Giving is simple: when you see a kettle ringer, just reach into your pocket and drop a dollar or two, some change.

The total will add up over the next month and allow the Salvation Army’s local chapter, which is in Johnson City, to truly make a difference.

The Salvation Army provides Thanksgiving and Christmas meals as well as meals all during the year to the homeless and those in need. It also provides a place for the homeless to come in out of the cold on winter nights as well as donating clothing to those in need. The Salvation Army is there every day of the year for those in need.

As important as money is to the Red Kettle campaign, another important aspect of the campaign is volunteers. The Salvation Army is always in need of volunteers during the holidays.

That’s what it’s really all about during the holidays.

There are also sure to be plenty of giving trees and Toys for Tots bins to contribute to over the coming weeks.

Also, the Salvation Army has an Angel Tree program, which will provide presents for children to open on Christmas Day. The Angel Tree program is a beautiful opportunity to make a child’s dream come true.

Every donation to the Salvation Army this Christmas brings warmth, gifts, and a shelter.

Also, there are various other opportunities to give this Christmas through organizations such as ARM, Food for the Multitude, and various church ministries, which are in the business of feeding and clothing those in need all year long.

We encourage you to consider helping those in need, and a good place to start is a generous donation to a local worthy organization, such as those mentioned.

Eric Sevareid, a well-known newscaster, was known for saying “Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.”

The greatness of the Thanksgiving and Christmas season is the generosity it stirs in all of us. It’s an excellent time of the year to volunteer, give, help, and do good things for others.

We hope that our readers have had a lot to be thankful for this year and that the holiday season is filled with joy and prosperity.

We all know and understand that it is better to give than to receive. Give as you can this holiday season to help those in need.