If I were homeless and hungry, an unemployed breadwinner, or a child of parents who have no money to buy Christmas gifts, I’d want to live in Morgan County.

The reason is Morgan Countians are generous people. They are quick to reach out to others in need, especially during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons.

For example, Hartselle’s annual Day of Caring collected nearly 10,000 cans and packages of nonperishable food in early November.

The generosity of many donors meant that ample food was on the tables of needy families during the Thanksgiving holiday. Early this month, Priceville Elementary School’s Student Council sponsored a school-wide canned food drive for the Channel 48-River Oaks Mall Can–A-Thon.

The result was over 2,500 cans of donated food for distribution to needy families before Christmas.

On Friday, American Legion Post 52 in Hartselle will play Santa for more than 500 kids of needy families. Each child will receive an age-appropriate. wrapped gift and a bag of fruit and candy. Then on Saturday, Falkville’s Lions will treat over 100 kids with a wrapped gift. Plus, their families will each receive a box of staple food, a canned ham, Bible and blanket for Christmas.

The week before Christmas, Chappell’s Karate will pack boxes of food and deliver them to needy families throughout the county for Christmas dinner. In addition, hundreds of families will share in a boxed Christmas Day dinner prepared and delivered by members of Hartselle Church of Christ.

Many have contributed to Franklin Graham’s Operation Christmas Child Program by donating shoebox gifts for distribution to children who live in other counties; others have supported The Salvation Army and Toys for Tots programs by purchasing toys for child on their Christmas lists; and still others are spreading Christmas cheer by sharing baked goods, buying a warm coat for a needy child or sending greeting cards to family and friends.

Any way you look at it, the act of giving is alive and well this year. Is there a better way to than this to celebrate the real reason for the season?