On this Monday morning, as we begin a brand-new week and consider what we have left to do before Christmas arrives, we hope you add onto your list of things to do making a donation to the Santa’s Helper Fund.

Many parents find themselves in desperate need at this time of year, and most have just one wish – to bring a smile to the faces of their children on Christmas morning. With your help, The Salvation Army can make that happen by providing them with food, clothing and toys – the very things that other children around them enjoy every day.

Here are some excerpts from letters recently sent to The Salvation Army from people in need:

“This year I am asking for help because my income isn’t that great, I try my hardest to give to my children for Christmas. Each year the Salvation Army always makes my children’s Christmas wonderful. Just to see the look on the kids faces at Christmas time makes up for all the things they go without all year.”

“We are trying to get by but with the holiday coming up we cannot afford to buy the kids Christmas gifts, or gifts for us or other families members. So I am asking for help so my kids will have something under the tree on Christmas day. Thank you very much.”

“I am a single parent with one son and a teen-age daughter with a child. After I put away money for the rent, phone and car payment there isn’t even much left for groceries, never mind Christmas. I do not like to ask for help even though I have a few times but, for some reason, things continue to fall hard for me and I can’t seem to get ahead. Thanks for anything you can do for us.”

We have a long way to go in order to reach our goal of $50,000, but we’re confident that the continuing generosity of people in this region will help us get there.

Donations may be sent to Santa’s Helper Fund, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329. Your names and donation amounts will be published in the Santa’s Helper column daily in the Bangor Daily News. Donors who prefer to remain anonymous will be listed as such, followed by their donation amounts. Thank you in advance for your generosity.