With the holiday season in full swing and Christmas coming up fast, we’d like to take a moment to recognize the amazing charitable nature of the members of our communities.

Whether it’s making donation to Toys for Tots, manning a red donation kettle outside in the cold and ringing a bell for The Salvation Army, volunteering time to visit residents of a nursing home or the Jacobetti Home for Veterans or giving to the Mining Journal Cheer Club, the selflessness and generosity shown by our friends and neighbors never ceases to amaze us.

There are plenty of charitable organizations that have been working hard to prepare for this time of year. And they could use a boost before Christmas and we’re hoping the spirit of giving continues up to and following the holiday.

The Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul locations throughout the county are collecting new and unopened toys to give as gifts to those who may otherwise go without Christmas morning.

Pantries including the Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank in Ishpeming distribute thousands of pounds of food every year to those in need. Many hundreds of local households are serviced each month. These food pantries work because of donations of both food and money.

The Room at the Inn is also always looking for donations such as blankets, warm clothing, hats and gloves to provide to those with nowhere to go in the cold winter.

Without the generosity of all these charities and others in Marquette County, and especially those who give to them, the holiday season wouldn’t be as merry as it ends up being for many.

We encourage all who can to contribute to these groups, and we think each and every one is worthy of a big thank you for doing all they do for the community leading up to the holidays and also year round.