It's the time of the year when charities work extra hard to make sure people have enough to eat, can stay warm, and can have presents under the Christmas tree.

This is especially true in Midland, where we have plenty of generous residents who truly want to help their neighbors. Through our churches, foundations and individuals, we usually succeed in spreading good cheer every December.

While there is still plenty of time to make a difference, we urge families to do just that -- make a difference for our friends and neighbors. It would be great if every family could adopt a charity and make that their way to teach what the holidays should be more about. Then, every year a family can decide to keep the same charity it helped the previous year, or to try a new one.

Some charities require a hearty bit of work. Others can be helped by making it a commitment to put some saved up money in a kettle or by a trip to a food pantry.

Imagine a family with two children learning that practice. It is likely those two children will grow up and establish the same tradition in their own families someday -- no matter what they do or where they live.

It's still early in December, and families can take on this project in the weeks ahead.

As for the charities, there have been plenty that have graced the pages of this publication recently. Those still looking for help include: the Salvation Army Red Kettle, Toys for Tots, Love Lights, Mitten Tree, and the Barley MacTavish Fund.

If you don't have a family tradition of adopting a charity, perhaps this is the time to start one.