Chuck Swidzinski and his team at Berkshire Hathaway held their 11th gift drive for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Butler Eagle File Photo

On Thursday, Chuck Swidzinski and his team at Berkshire Hathaway hosted their 11th gift drive for Toys for Tots at the Brick House on Main Street, once again making sure that as many children as possible wake up to something under the Christmas tree.

The event has grown since its debut drive, with the Marines coming in and collecting and distributing the gifts during the drive and in the days after.

It’s easy to get lost in ourselves during this time of year, but events like this remind us of the true meaning of the holidays.

With heavy commercialization and emphasis on all the wrong things in movies and television shows, we only get a few novel years of Christmas out of children anymore. The magic drains almost as fast as it glimmers to life.

Swidzinski said that they have received close to 2,000 toy donations in years past, an impressive count.

There’s no doubt that there will be many more families worrying about how to pull their childrens’ wish lists together this year than in ones gone by. Having as many donations as possible alleviates worry and allows all family members to enjoy the time together after a particularly rough year.

Every child deserves presents under the tree, so we commend Swidzinski, his team, and all others who aid and donate at Toys for Tots on their efforts to make it happen every year.

The true purpose of the Christmas season is to give to those around you, rather than getting the newest iPhone in your own stocking.

It’s clearly a concept that people in Butler County grasp well, one of the many things that make one thankful to call it home.

—CM