Trending
Our area has begun to see a few early tastes of the Christmas holiday in recent days, with tree lightings and plans for other celebrations being announced.
While we are still well over a month before Christmas day itself, we should remember it's not too early to think about one of the main focuses of the holiday season: giving to others.
There are always opportunities to help others throughout the year, but the idea receives more attention as we approach the later months of the calendar. As we make our way to the stores for various gifts, decorations and meal planning, we are reminded that not everyone is as fortunate.
The residents, businesses and organizations have always done well in stepping up to organize various types of donations, collections and fundraisers, and this year is no different.
The Weirton Parks Board is once again holding its Veterans Clothing Drive, to be offered Nov. 12-17. Originally organized by the late Bob Busch, and now held in his memory, the annual campaign asks residents to donate new or gently used clothing items to benefit local veterans. Busch, a Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam War, recognized the need
Donations, contained in either bags or boxes, may be dropped off at the front desk of the Millsop Community Center throughout the next week.
The Community Bread Basket is always looking for support, and that need rises this time of year. A drive is ongoing for nonperishable food items, as well as monetary donations to purchase turkeys and more to distribute to residents for the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Salvation Army, also, holds increased collections for the holiday season, with traditional food distributions for Thanksgiving, and then going right into two of its biggest drives for the year: the annual Red Kettle collection and the Angel Tree campaign.
The Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce also steps up, rallying the business community with a series of collections. As part of one of its Business After Hours events, attendees are asked to bring a donation of a new, unwrapped toy (or multiple). Working with the Tri-State Young Marines, the toys go to the Salvation Army. The chamber also encourages donations to the Salvation Army's Angel Tree campaign, often raising funds to purchase for some of the Angels.
The Toys for Tots program recently made a return to the Upper Ohio Valley, and is organizing collections of its own in the Northern Panhandle to benefit children who may not be expecting much this Christmas.
There's also the Weirton Ministerial Association's annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner, with donations of food and money being collected. Food and packaged meals are prepared with assistance from All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, with many being delivered to shut-ins and others on Thanksgiving Day. Then, for those interested, a community dinner is offered at the Greater Weirton Senior Center. They also often seek volunteers for anyone looking to give back that way.
The City of Weirton is in the midst of its own toy and food drive leading up to next weekend's Christmas on Main Street festivities. Collection boxes are available at various municipal facilities, including the Weirton City Building, the Millsop Community Center and the Mary H. Weir Public Library to drop off a donation. Boxes also will be available during Christmas on Main Street for anyone wishing to make a donation at that time.
This truly is the season of giving, and our area shows what the holiday spirit is all about. I would encourage anyone who is able to consider any of these opportunities to give back, or, if possible, to organize your own.
(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter @CHowellWDT)