The Santa’s Helper Fund has begun receiving donations, which will be acknowledged in this column beginning tomorrow. It is gratifying to see people reaching out early in the season in anticipation of the great need that will exist this Christmas.

The holiday season brings with it the joy of sharing and the wonder of children who believe in the spirit of the season. For many parents, however, the time will be one of hardship and stress, as they struggle to provide the bare necessities for their children, not to mention the extras that make the season special.

Many of these parents turn to The Salvation Army in their time of need. The clothing, food and toys that The Salvation Army provides represent a lifeline to many who have nowhere else to turn.

The Bangor Daily News invites you to be a part of its annual Santa’s Helper fundraising effort to support Salvation Army units in central and Down East Maine. Donations to Santa’s Helper Fund are collected at the Bangor Daily News while the Salvation Army staff is busy taking applications and readying Christmas boxes. All of the money collected reaches The Salvation Army and is used locally to help someone in need.

Last year’s campaign raised almost $47,000. Such generosity enabled Salvation Army volunteers to visit residents in nursing homes and to provide toys, clothing, coats and food to thousands of people.

The Santa’s Helper Fund originated from Bangor Daily News Charities, an organization of the Bangor Daily News whose purpose, in part, is to care for, comfort and provide relief to the needy. Donations to Santa’s Helper are given to The Salvation Army to help defray costs incurred during the holidays and throughout the year to assist those who need a helping hand.

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