The spirit of giving was in abundance this week as the Eagle reported numerous stories about local groups making donations and events being held to provide to those in need for Thanksgiving.

In one story, the Ellen O’Brien Gaiser Center held its first-ever food drive for Robin’s Home, the Butler shelter for women veterans. Earlier this week, the center’s employees dropped off food, water and household supplies for the shelter.

As a result, Robin’s Home was able to hold a Thanksgiving dinner that was expected to draw 10 people.

Elsewhere, Butler Catholic School students loaded boxes of food to deliver to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul as part of a food drive that collected 3,100 items for donation.

Meanwhile, the Mars Police Department is holding a Toys for Tots drive that will collect toys for children next to the borough’s spaceship statue from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 4. Those interested in donating should drop off toys that are new and unwrapped.

And, last but not least, a local woman is holding a drive to collect socks for county seniors that will run through Dec. 15 and includes 10 drop-off locations, such as the Butler Township municipal building, American Legion Post 117, Snyder Excavating and other locales.

Better yet, Butler Area Senior High School senior Peyton Pry is helping to support Dawn Burgess’ sock drive by acting as a liaison with Butler Township commissioners. It’s great to see young people getting involved in such efforts at an early age.

More than 500 seniors who are served by Meals on Wheels are expected to receive socks through the initiative. Those interested in donating should contact babygiraffe11@gmail.com.

We’ve said it numerous times on this page: Butler County is generous when it comes to helping others. We’re glad to see so many initiatives taking place during the holidays to provide everything from food to supplies and clothing to those in need.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still lingering, a little extra help is probably needed.

There are people who are lacking food, clothing and other necessary supplies throughout the year, so we hope to see such efforts and this spirit of generosity continue through the holiday season and beyond.

— NCD