Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, it’s time to focus our attention on Christmas.

And by that, we don’t mean knocking people over or starting fights to secure more material possessions for ourselves and our families that we don’t really need, but on helping those among us who are less fortunate.

Particularly, children in Suffolk who without the generosity of Cheer Fund supporters would likely have a Christmas that is not merry.

While certainly, by that, we don’t mean to imply that trinkets are essential to a merry Christmas n they’re not, at least for adults. They are however, important to children, particularly scores of them in our community who may have few other bright spots in their lives during the year.

Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. There’s no better way to celebrate His birth and life than to follow his message woven so intrinsically throughout the New Testament n showing care and concern for the poor, the least among us.

That’s where your donation to the Cheer Fund can help. All money donated to the Cheer Fund goes directly to fund the Toys for Tots program in Suffolk, which for more than 40 years had provided quality toys at Christmas for tens of thousands of children.. There are no administrative fees associated with the Cheer Fund and Toys for Tots. All workers n from those who serve on the boards, to those who prepare gift baskets, those who deliver toys, those who provide warehouse space and those who keep the finances in order — are volunteers.

The Cheer Fund and Toys for Tots is “our thing,” in Suffolk, as Billy Chorey described it when kicking off this year’s campaign with a $1,000 donation. It’s a community taking care of its own; it exemplifies community and Christmas spirit.

Please give to the Cheer Fund. Send your donation, made payable to:

Cheer Fund

c/o Suffolk News-Herald

P.O. Box 1220

Suffolk, VA 23439