Christmas is the time of year we think about the people in our lives who we want to shower with presents.

We want to give them things we know they want or need as tokens of our appreciation for sharing our lives’ experiences together.

Christmas also is a time of year when we think about the gifts we would like to receive and we drop hints to the people in our lives in hopes of getting them to give us what we want or need.

Giving and receiving are big parts of Christmas celebrations.

I’ve heard it said that the giving and receiving mimic God’s love for mankind and Christ’s sacrifices, which makes a lot of season since Jesus is the reason for the season.

For many people, however, giving and receiving are a year-around experience.

I’m talking about the people who volunteer their time and efforts year around to give to people who are in need or who are less fortunate than many of us.

In case you haven’t noticed, we have been featuring many of those organizations for the past few weeks in front-page stories about the organizations, what they do and what their needs are for this time of year.

Not that those organizations don’t need help year around but Christmas can be particularly challenging for charitable organizations as people’s budgets and attentions are focused closer to home.

Meanwhile the needs of charitable organizations’ needs continue on.

We have profiled the Natchez Stewpot that provides meals for elderly people and shut-ins who may not otherwise get a good meal.

We have profiled the Natchez Adams Humane Society and the animal shelter which house and feed some 80 dogs and cats year around.

We have profiled the Salvation Army and the organization’s relief efforts to help people not only during times of crisis but also by providing toys for needy boys and girls at Christmastime.

We have profiled the Toys for Tots program that helps children ages 2 through 16 who may not otherwise get something for Christmas.

And those are just a few of the charitable organizations we have profiled and continue to profile.

I am proud to live in a community that has so many generous people who contribute to and help operate so many charitable organizations.

It is, however, important for us to remember that most of those organizations’ needs don’t end after the Christmas season is over.

As you’re reading our Season of Wishes profiles this Christmas season, please consider donating to a worthy charity that you believe in, and if you can afford it try to make a small contribution to the organizations each month throughout the year.

Merry Christmas!

Scott Hawkins is the editor of The Natchez Democrat. Reach him at 601-445-3540 or scott.hawkins@natchezdemocrat.com.