Editorial for November 22, 2007 edition:


Keep up the good work

Ideally, the holiday season is a time of love, peace and prosperity among all people.
However, the reality that we know is often much harsher. There are homeless people wandering chilly city streets, families that cannot afford a decent holiday meal, and children whose wish lists go unfulfilled.
Hopefully, you are lucky enough to celebrate these holidays the way they should be celebrated . . . with a nourishing meal, with gifts, with a smile on your face. For most, this time of the year remains bright and cheerful.
But for many, too many, this is not the case. There are families throughout the Northeast who are burdened with financial difficulties, particularly in these tough economic times.
Yet each holiday season the readers of the Times always come through. And with people throughout the Northeast enduring hardships, that’s what we’re asking you to do once again — to help people enjoy a nourishing holiday meal through your generous contributions to the Northeast Times Eleanor Smylie Community Fund.
The fund was established by the late chairwoman and matriarch of the Smylie family, which owned the paper for more than 60 years, until 1999.
Now in its 52nd year, the charitable fund has relied on the compassion of our readers, whose good hearts and eagerness to help less fortunate people in our area make this very special time of year just a bit brighter.
From one holiday season to the next, our readers have always come through. Last year, for example, your contributions enabled our holiday fund to distribute more than 55 dinners with all the trimmings to people in need — both individuals and families — throughout the Northeast.
This gesture couldn’t have been achieved without you. And now, as we undertake yet another season of good will, it won’t be achieved without you.
Already we have started to receive letters from people explaining struggles with difficult circumstances and their hope that the fund can provide a holiday dinner. They typically are sorrowful stories of illness. Jobs lost without warning. Or a death that has brought sadness to a family. Most of them express appreciation for whatever can be done, appreciation that a gesture as symbolic as a holiday meal could do so much, and mean so much, to bring light to a time of year that otherwise would be without good times and a sense of optimism for the coming year.
The Northeast Times aims to make sure that as many people as possible can at least have that modest need fulfilled — with your help. It’s a positive tradition, one only our readers can ensure continues. You’ll be sharing the warm feeling of helping others.
And isn’t that what this season is really about?
We gladly welcome letters from Northeast residents who are facing a particularly tough time this season and would be grateful for a special holiday dinner. Or, if you’re a relative or neighbor who knows of someone, tell us about it.
So readers, please, if you can help, send contributions to the Northeast Times Eleanor Smylie Community Fund, 2512 Metropolitan Drive, Trevose, PA 19053.
If you or someone you know is in need of a holiday meal, please write us a short letter explaining why assistance is needed. Include your name, address, telephone number and a name and phone number of a person or agency for verification purposes. Those letters also can be sent to the Times, in care of the Eleanor Smylie Community Fund, at the address above.
And keep one thing in mind. The amount of money you can donate isn’t what’s important. Your willingness to donate is. As usual, in the weeks ahead, we’ll be publishing the names of readers who have contributed to the fund, or you can request that the donation be anonymous.
For so many years, our readers have made a difference. Thank you. ••

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