&8220;That’s just Natchez,&8221; is a phrase we all hear often, describing everything from the latest questionable behavior of our elected officials to our quirky tradition of erecting a Christmas tree in the middle of a busy downtown intersection.

But I think &8220;that’s just Natchez&8221; was never used more properly than when Katherine Killelea used it last year to describe the Children’s Christmas Tree Fund.

Mrs. Killelea was pointing out that so many people behind the scenes help make the tree fund possible &045; those who write checks or give money, sometimes anonymously; those who donate clothing or toys; those who help wrap the gifts; those who spend Christmas Eve helping with the party at which gifts are distributed to children who would otherwise go without.

While Mrs. Killelea is certainly the Mrs. Claus who ties everything together &045; although she graciously gives credit to others &045; it is true that the tree fund would not exist without so much help from so many people.

The hospitality for which we are known around the world shines just as brightly for our own at Christmas time and, often, throughout the year.

Today we help kick off the money-raising effort for the Children’s Christmas Tree Fund, a tradition which dates back more than a century to former Democrat publisher James W. Lambert.

Lambert and a group of businessmen founded the Poor Children’s Christmas Tree in 1900, but in 1906 the tree committee performed its duties with a heavy heart &045; Mr. Lambert had died that year.

Still, the tree fund endured, as much a tribute to Lambert’s generosity as to the whole community’s generosity.

In Lambert’s obituary in the newspaper, his devotion to the young project was evident:

&8220;Though powerful of physique, brave and courageous, he was gentle as a child, and his love for children was proverbial. He loved them as God’s gift to man, sent to brighten the lives of His children and to make the universe cheerful and brighter by their presence.

&8220;Never was this more forcibly illustrated that when he discussed the Poor Children’s Christmas Tree …

&8220;His heart and soul were in this Christmas Tree for Poor Children, and his purse was ready to supply any deficit in the fund.&8221;

This year, we have so many ways to emulate Lambert and the many volunteers and philanthropists who have come before and after him.

This year, as last year, we will continue to remind our readers throughout this &8220;Season of Wishes&8221; of the many agencies and organizations that need special help at the holidays as they try to provide toys and gifts and food for those in need.

We will also continue to bring you stories of agencies under the umbrella of the United Way, which has extended its fund-raising campaign through the end of the year.

We are certain that, as they did last year, members of our community will step up to help, even in these lean times.

After all, that’s just Natchez &045; and the Miss-Lou.

Kerry Whipple

is editor of The Democrat. She can be reached at 601-445-3541 or by e-mail at

kerry.whipple@natchezdemocrat.com

.