From increasing political polarization to coverage of crimes, a majority of the news we digest each week is of a negative nature. But every once in a while — and typically around this time of year — we have some good news to share about local residents or organizations who are doing something to help out their neighbors.

This week, several local initiatives were working hard to ensure that those who are less fortunate experience a little joy this holiday season.

In Butler Township, a 15-year-old boy named Cameron Laskowski and veterans living in VA Butler Health Care’s Community Living Center are raising money and gathering gifts for Toys for Tots, a national program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve that distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them Christmas gifts.

As of Friday, Laskowski said that he had raised more than $3,200 through his Facebook page and, so far, purchased or gathered 474 gifts through his gift drive. The 60 veterans from the VA spent money on about 100 toys that were handed out to local children last week.

Meanwhile, the 21st annual Caring Basket Auction recently opened its bidding for 51 baskets at the Butler Hospital Tower’s Nixon/Sarver Education Center. The program raises money to provide free emergency room care to children under age 18 whose parents or guardians don’t have insurance or enough money to pay for their care.

The auction raises about $50,000 annually, of which $20,000 is used for charitable care, while the remainder of funds are allocated to the BHS Family Services, an organization that provides counseling, patient-child interactive therapy and adolescent outpatient programs.

So, while readers may have become accustomed to being flooded with negativity when they scan the day’s news items — whether it’s politicians squabbling, winter-related car crashes, bad weather or crime — there is also much to celebrate.

We are heartened to see all of the great local initiatives being undertaken to help the less fortunate this holiday season. Toys for Tots and the Caring Basket Auction are wonderful programs that help to brighten the day of those who benefit from them.

But there’s more you can do to help during the holidays — or year-round, for that matter. If you know someone who doesn’t have family and might be lonely during the holidays, visit them. Send a care package to a soldier serving overseas. Find a local organization for which you can volunteer to feed the homeless or pack back packs filled with clothing items or toiletries. There are a number of other places you can volunteer, from nursing homes and soup kitchens to pet shelters.

If you believe there’s not enough good news to go around in your community, take the initiative by getting involved and helping others this holiday season.