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Don’t look now, but as of Saturday there are only 48 days until Christmas.

For anyone who likes to get a head start on shopping, that means the time to get ahead is running out. For anyone who likes to wait until the last minute, go back to sleep for another 45 days or so. Plenty of time!

You don’t need us to tell you that this time of the year can be very stressful.

For those of us in a position, thankfully, to provide for our families, the stress is finding a Thanksgiving turkey, cooking, finding gifts for everyone and getting them wrapped. For those who aren’t as fortunate, the stress is trying to ensure there’s food on the table for the holidays, as well as a gift or two to celebrate the people in their lives.

Although we often put up blinders and focus on our own lives, there are a lot of people in this community who could use a helping hand this holiday season.

So many organizations do their part to help. Toys for Tots, led by the Marine Corps League locally, ensures that area children have gifts this holiday season.

The Salvation Army raises money to help needy families, as do so many others.

An event Saturday at 104 Pub will raise money to send deployed soldiers care packages for the Christmas season.

Our point is this — if you have the ability to help, start looking for ways now. In many instances, the earlier the money or donations come in, the easier it is to disperse everything to those in need.

In this year where COVID-19 has continued to kill too many Americans — too many friends, family members and community members — there is plenty of hurt out there. If you’re able, we encourage you to do your part to help out.

Every little bit helps. Every little toy helps.

It’s easy to walk by those red kettles and to ignore the bells outside storefronts, or to see piles of toys donated in a Toys for Tots donation box and to think enough is being done. Typically, that’s not the case.

This is a very giving community, and we know we’ll again hear how many were willing to help out in any way necessary.