By Staff
In this season of giving, there are lots of ways area residents can help each other this year.
First, you can help someone directly b y making a contribution to or buying a toy for the Christmas Project, which will make Christmas a little happier for several hundred children and many elderly residents among us. Those who adopt a child in the Christmas Project are asked to spend about $70. Supporters also may make a contribution to the project, and volunteers will shop for a needy child or elderly person.
Secondly, you can help local merchants and governments by shopping locally. Local merchants need our support and local governments and schools need our tax dollars so that they can in turn provide services for us.
If you're looking to save time or having trouble deciding what the perfect gift would be, make a gift of a Chamber of Commerce gift certificate, redeemable with partcipating members, and keep the holiday dollars in the local economy.
Another &#8220perfect gift” alternative is to give a gift to a charity like United Fund or the American Red Cross in honor of a friend or loved one.
In the long run, the effort will make all of us – and our community – winners.