Once again, 'tis the season to be giving

This past Thanksgiving left many of us more grateful than, perhaps, at other times.

Besides the usual things for which we give thanks — family, health and food on the table among other things — a large number of us offered a heartfelt toast of gratitude to the hundreds of utility linemen who gave us our lights and heat back after the devastating Nov. 17 windstorm.

But from now through Christmas, this is also the time of the year where we try to focus on the needs of others, those in our communities who might not be as fortunate as many of the rest of us.

We lose sight of how many people are in...