You can see the signs of Christmas throughout the Miss-Lou from the bright new Christmas tree on Main Street in Natchez to the 15-foot-tall reindeer and Santa Claus, when he is available, at the foot of the bridge in Vidalia.

As the big day looms, visions of sugar plums dance in our heads as we not only imagine the gifts we will receive from family and friends but also as we anticipate what we should give the loved ones who populate our own giving lists.

Here at The Natchez Democrat, we are highlighting through our “Season of Wishes” series of stories, some of the most giving organizations in our community and detailing their needs and Christmas lists to help them meet the Christmas needs of some of the less-fortunate people in the community this season.

Many of the organizations featured in the Season of Wishes series, such as the Stewpot, are year round endeavors. Some, however, are specific to the holidays, such as the Santa Cop program conducted by the Natchez Police Department each year.

Great community leaders and volunteers, who give of their time, resources and efforts to help others in the community, staff all of those organizations.

I hope you are reading the “Season of Wishes” stories each day and are taking note of the good work these organizations do in the community.

I also hope you will take note of the special requests the organizations have and will consider adding them to your Christmas list to help them with their missions, whether you donate items, labor or money.

Also, during this time of year, The Natchez Democrat receives many Top of the Morning requests from organizations and individuals promoting upcoming events, causes and interests.

In case you are not familiar with Top of the Mornings, we allow readers to submit pieces up to 700 words in length on topics of local interest to be published on the Opinion Page.

Top of the Mornings give readers a chance to expound more on their topics of interest than they can in a letter to the editor with a maximum of 500 words.

It is a great way to get the word out about events, pet peeves or causes.

Top of the Mornings are a great community opportunity and many people utilize it to help get the word out.

To help us meet your expectations, we ask that you call me directly at 601-445-3540 at least two weeks prior to the preferred date of publication to arrange for the preferred publication date.

Then we ask that you submit the written piece by at least noon two days prior to the publication date, and we prefer they be email to letters@natchezdemocrat.com.

Please follow the email up with a phone call to 601-445-3540 to bring it to our attention and to make sure it was received.

Top of the Mornings submissions must include a line at the bottom to identify the writer and their connection to the topic as well as a head and shoulders picture of the author to publish with the Top of the Morning.

Yes, we will accept a printed copy of the Top of the Morning if you want to bring it in person to The Democrat office at 503 N. Canal Street or you can drop it in the regular mail to P.O. Box 1447, Natchez, MS 39121-1447.

If you do not have a picture you can provide of the writer, we also can arrange to have a picture made if you call us.

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