The fact that there aren't numerous homeless people huddled against storefronts on Butler's Main Street or in other county communities at night doesn't mean that need doesn't exist.

The fact is that many individuals and families are very much in need of help, and charitable organizations are focusing efforts on their behalf.

Toys for Tots and the Salvation Army's kettle campaign are two of the positive efforts that are in the spotlight at this time of the year, but by no means are they the only ones. There are special efforts by churches, organizations such as the Butler Rotary Club and within some schools that focus on the fact that the prospects for a Merry Christmas aren't good for many people without others coming forward to assist them.

That is why it is important for everyone with the means to provide direct help, or indirectly through gifts to one or more of the various help agencies, to again open their hearts and their wallets or pocketbooks on behalf of those less fortunate.

The lagging economy has challenged charitable organizations over the past several years in their efforts to raise sufficient funds to help people in need. This year doled out an extra burden for those organizations via the flooding in September that devastated numerous Butler County families. For example, the Salvation Army provided financial assistance to more than 4,000 Western Pennsylvania families, impacting the agency's ability to provide its traditional help at this time of the year.

An article in Monday's Butler Eagle focused on the plight of this year's Salvation Army kettle campaign, noting that the Butler kettle effort was $17,000 behind last year's campaign. In that article, Maj. Robert Carney of the Butler Corps of the Salvation Army said the only recourse, if giving continued to lag, would be to cut back services to needy families.

More instances of coming forward, such as the Butler Rotary Club's gift of $4,300 in recent days to the Salvation Army, are what is needed in these last days before Christmas. The Salvation Army wouldn't mind working harder to get help to the needy based on last-minute gifts, big and small.

Donations can be sent to the Salvation Army by addressing envelopes as follows: Salvation Army, P.O. Box 389, Butler, PA 16003. Donations also can be delivered in person to the Salvation Army office at 313 W. Cunningham St.

Perhaps there won't be any highly valuable gold coins showing up in Butler Salvation Army kettles like the one that turned up in a Kirksville, Mo., kettle - a coin worth nearly $1,000. However, some lesser surprises for the local campaign would be appreciated - and would be put to good use.

For many people, what turns up under their Christmas tree for them to open is not as important as an act of kindness they were able to extend to someone else at this time of the year. Everyone in Butler County should reflect on what they have done - or not done - to help those whose lives have been dealt hardship and adversity.

There is still time for everyone to add true meaning to what the holiday season is really about.

- J.R.K.