Weeks before the nation celebrated Thanksgiving, volunteers in Pearl River County geared up for the giving season.

Now that many of us have gathered with friends and family to celebrate the many blessings in our lives, it’s time to take a step back and think about how we can give back to the community.

The Pearl River County Toys for Tots program is eagerly accepting donations of new unwrapped toys to give to children in the area.

The program has been operating in the county for over 20 years and still has to turn away families. Volunteers work diligently to ensure they check off every name on the list.

Donation centers have been set up all over the county, including police departments, local businesses and churches. It doesn’t take long to find a location that will accept your kind donation.

For many children in the nation, it is a heartbreaking reality to wake up on Christmas morning and not find presents to open.

The Toys for Tots organization does extraordinary work to make sure children in need don’t experience that disappointment.

When I was younger, my parents would always take the extra effort every year to donate to organizations like Toys for Tots. Witnessing their generosity year after year inspired me to continue their tradition.

I never woke up Christmas morning to find a tree without presents underneath, but there are many children that do.

If giving a small part of my time and money will help light up a child’s face on Christmas morning, then I am more than willing to make that sacrifice.

The people in Pearl River County have been generous every holiday season in helping provide toys for these children and we should continue to do so this year.

Donations will be accepted until Dec. 19 at various locations in the county.

Look for signs with a red train to make your donation of a new, unwrapped toy this holiday season.