Now that Halloween and the elections are over, there’s no more need for folks in Suffolk to be afraid. In fact, with Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner, there’s plenty of reason for them to be full of anticipation for what the season holds in store.

But there are some children and parents in Suffolk for whom the turning of the calendar toward Christmas lacks the hopeful significance it has for most youngsters and their families. For a disheartening number of Suffolk families, Christmas appears likely to come and go without toys under the tree. While there are surely worse things than that happening all around the world, harsh realities are of no comfort to children who see all their friends enjoying their shiny new playthings on Dec. 26.

That’s where the Cheer Fund comes in, and it’s where you can make a real difference in some child’s Christmas. The Cheer Fund collects money each year to provide money to purchase toys for local families. It partners with the Salvation Army, which purchases and distributes the toys to needy families recommended by Social Services.

Last Saturday, the Hampton Roads Radio Control Club held its annual Fun Fly, which has turned out to be an excellent kickoff event each year. The event regularly brings in more than $2,000 for the Cheer Fund, as it did this year, and we are deeply appreciative of the club’s support.

The Cheer Fund has always been successful because of the faithful support of individuals and organizations throughout Suffolk. We rely on each of you to help us meet our goal each year. This year, that goal is $40,000 — and the Cheer Fund will help provide toys for thousands of Suffolk children by the time all is said and done.

If you’ve helped make this effort a success in the past, we sincerely thank you, and we humbly ask that you consider a similar donation again this year. If you’ve never supported the Cheer Fund before, there’s no time like the present. We really could use your help making Christmas a bit merrier for underprivileged children in Suffolk.

To donate to the Cheer Fund, send a check to P.O. Box 1220, Suffolk, VA 23439 or bring it to our office, 130 S. Saratoga St., from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

We will list your donation in the newspaper, but it can be marked “anonymous” if you like. Donations may be made in honor of or in memory of someone. If you bring the check to our office, we’ll even take your picture as you hand it to one of our staff.

For more information on the Cheer Fund, call 934-9609.