Thanksgiving a time to help those in need

As we celebrate a season of thankfulness this week, many will gather around a table with family and friends to enjoy a meal. As we do this, we should remember that there are others who are not as fortunate.

Thanksgiving is a time to offer special thanks for all we are blessed with throughout the year, but it should also be a time when we think of those who are not blessed with a hot meal or may not have a roof over their heads.

There are many ways we can help those less fortunate. One way is to give financially. Donations made to local charities such as Green River Ministries and the Taylor County Food Pantry, as well as programs that offer clothing or toys for area children who might not have things they want or need at Christmas, are excellent ways to help.

Perhaps you cannot give financially but would still like to do your part to make someone's holiday season brighter. If so, you can simply give your time by helping collect money. The Salvation Army has recently announced its upcoming Red Kettle Campaign.

Each year, the campaign collects money through volunteers who stand with kettles and ring bells. The money collected is used to make Christmas possible for local families who might not otherwise have presents and other necessities.

Whether you are member of a family that would like to help, or if you work at or run a business that has people who want to volunteer, you can help make the holiday season better for your fellow Taylor Countians by spending time ringing the Salvation Army bell.

Volunteers are needed to ring the bell from tomorrow through Dec. 21. To sign up, call Green River Ministries at 465-9880.