The Santa’s Helper Fund has reached $24,600. Thank you to our past contributors. You’re making the season bearable for needy parents and their children in your neighborhoods.

It’s easy to take the little things for granted, and it’s important to remember how special the Salvation Army’s services are to people in our communities who have practically nothing.

Try to imagine yourself in this situation: There are no presents under the tree. You’ve spent the past few mornings trying to get the car to start, but it’s no use.

Frustrated, you call work and tell them you’ll be late — again. You promise the baby sitter her money as soon as you get your next paycheck, then ask for a ride from a neighbor. No matter how hard you try, there’s just not enough money left at the end of the week to get your child a toy for Christmas.

This is what life is like for many families struggling to make ends meet, but with your help and that of the Salvation Army, they’ll get a gift and maybe a few things to brighten their spirits as winter returns to our region. Please give today.

The Santa’s Helper Fund would like to recognize its recent donors: Liane Giambalvo of Hampden, $50; Glen and Marion Evans of Millinocket, $20; Tom and Jason Murray of Bucksport, $30; Anonymous, $5; Terry and Gail Curry of Plymouth, $20 in memory of their daughter Meaghan Lillian; Howard and Elsie Stormann of Stillwater, $25 in memory of Bob, Bonnie and Eric; and Anonymous in Zephyrhills, Fla., $50.

Kelly Boyington of Millinocket donated $20 in memory of her parents, Joseph and Glennis Megno; Anonymous in Southwest Harbor, $40; Richard and Pamela Young of Milford, $10; Ed and Regina Thomas of Bangor, $25; Anonymous in Bangor, $10; Muriel and Henry Seile of Millinocket, $25 in memory of Daisy Davis; and Mrs. Ardis Abbott of Old Town, $30.

Anonymous in Milo contributed 25; Lindsey, Kylie, Justin and Brandon’s grandparents in Limestone, $50; Marion L. Dearborn of Bangor, $25; The Heart Valve Support Group at Eastern Maine Medical Center, $50; Olive Rustin of Milford, $10 in honor of Peter Rustin; Anonymous in Houlton, $20; and Anonymous in Milford, $25.

Philip and Jean Turner of Caribou sent $25; Anonymous in Old Town, $25; Marilyn J. and William J. Kemm of Hampden, $50; Hubert and Maxine McMannus of Holden, $25; Virginia Tillinghast of Winterport, $30 in memory of Ted Farrell; Anonymous, $10; Richard N. Anderson of Hampden, $25; and Anonymous in Brewer, $25.

Melville Nickerson of Newburgh donated $15 in honor of Gracie Arnold; Harold Crosby Jr. of Bangor, $25; Dickey Family of Medway, $25 in memory of John A. Dickey; Anonymous in Milbridge, $20; Anonymous in Otis, $50; Anonymous in East Millinocket, $10; Anonymous in Bradley, $25; Anonymous in Belfast, $100; and Jay and Sheila Hamlin of East Millinocket, $25 in memory of John Hamlin.

Jesse in Veazie donated $50; Anonymous in Van Buren, $10; Anonymous in Mount Desert, $20 in honor of Steven Muise; Marion A. Stoddard of East Machias, $20 in memory of her late husband, Clayton Stoddard Sr.; Barry and Ava MacArthur of Island Falls, $25; Rebecca Hickey of Presque Isle, $10 in memory of her late husband, Richard H. Hickey; Clifford and Riva Hawkes of Island Falls, $20 in memory of Tom and Christine Donham and Harry and Hope Hawkes; and Patrick and Merrilee Kirby of Glenburn, $25.

William J. Dawe of Brewer sent $10; Sonny and Winkie Bartlett of East Millinocket, $50 in memory of Susan and Jim Whynot, Walter Bartlett and Kathy Merritt; Peter Lammert of Thomaston, $10; Courtney and Nicky Ciulla of Lee, $25; and Wesley and Gloria Hart of Holden, $25.

To help someone less fortunate in your community, send a donation to Santa’s Helper, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329. Contributions are sorted by the town from which they are sent, and are given to Salvation Army units in those areas. All donations will be acknowledged in the Bangor Daily News unless the donor requests anonymity.