Helping all to enjoy the season

STAFF REPORT

Despite the economic recession that has gripped the nation, folks in the Mahoning Valley still made it a priority to help others less fortunate during this holiday season.

Businesses such as Panera Bread in Warren presented thousands of dollars to the annual Toys for Tots campaign sponsored annually by the Marine Corps to help Santa with delivering toys to hundreds of children.

Warren Councilman Bob Dean will have his fifth annual Coats for Kids Giveaway from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday at North Mar Church Gym, 3855 E. Market St.

For the last 30 years, volunteers in Liberty have been involved in the Sharing Tree project, which provides gifts for 76 children from 28 township families.

United Auto Workers Local 1112 at the General Motors Lordstown Complex continued its annual Care & Share food-distribution program to help about 300 families.

Sometimes the best gift you can give to people is your gift of time, especially to those who are alone or without family members.

That was accomplished by the Northside Weed & Seed, whose members took time out of their day to sing old-fashioned Christmas carols at Heart Reach Ministries, Park Vista Retirement Community, Arlington Gardens and the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley. It is the third-straight year young and old from the North Side have participated in the songfest.

Volunteers with the Springfield Food Basket program spent their Saturday delivering food items to families in the New Middletown and Springfield Township area.

We can’t forget the efforts of the Salvation Army, whose red-kettle campaign raises thousands of dollars during the holiday season to provide clothes, books and toys for hundreds of needy families.

A hearty thanks to all who took the time to make sure that other people in need could enjoy this holiday season.