(Editor's Notes by Christina Myer - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

It may not be quite time to drag out the decorations, but some items in the news lately have got me thinking it might be time to consider how to turn this season into one in which as many children as possible have a happier Thanksgiving and a merrier Christmas.

I’ll admit I’ve been spurred by stories told about my dad during an event a few weeks back. The speaker recounted how more than one representative of nonprofits in the Northern Panhandle knew they could count on support from my dad — whether that be in the form of helping to spread the word or reaching into his own pocket to pull out his checkbook and ask “how much do you need?”

In fact, it’s something I remember him doing just before his last Christmas, when he let his grandchildren know he’d made a donation to an organization in their name, and told them something like “because of you, some other kids are also going to be able to have a nice Christmas this year.”

With that memory fresh, I read a story about the mess that was made by West Virginia’s Department of Health and Human Resources, which is being sued on behalf of the state’s foster children.

That came after a story about children in Kanawha County, for whom neighbors were so worried that they called Child Protective Services … and got no answer. (Police eventually stepped in on that one).

I know there are all kinds of excuses for these failures: staffing shortages, low pay, extreme job stress, an overwhelming substance abuse epidemic combined with a perpetually sluggish economy … Sure, there’s good reason in our state for the government agencies tasked with helping our kids to have a hard time.

All the more reason then for the rest of us to look for ways to help the vulnerable kids in our communities.

What do you hope for your own children and grandchildren this time of year? Maybe you’re looking forward to being able to provide them an amazing Thanksgiving dinner. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were ingredients at our food pantries to ensure a few more meals can get made?

Maybe you know they’ll be warm and cozy because of the coats, boots, gloves, scarves and hats you provided for them. A program such as Coats for Kids can help you make sure a few more kids stay warm this winter, too.

For plenty of families, the hope is that a spectacular, glittering array of beautifully wrapped presents will be under the tree to bring joy to children’s faces on (or about) Christmas morning. Take advantage of options such as Toys for Tots or the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree to put a few of those presents under the tree of a child who might not be expecting much.

A teacher friend of mine posted recently on social media that she was looking for support to help get the young readers in her classroom some books. The list of needs goes on and on.

While you’re thinking along those lines, take a minute to account for the kinds of things we take for granted. One family’s fondest holiday wish might be to keep the lights on and the hot water flowing. Another might simply be looking for help paying enough to be able to stay in their home.

If you are unsure how to help them, a quick call to the United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley will get you pointed in the right direction. Though there are plenty of options available on the organization’s website, it is made clear, “Still can’t find the perfect way to join us in advancing the common good? Contact us and we’ll help you figure it out!”

A friend of mine said the other day “It’s the season of giving!” and he was practically bouncing when he said it. I’ve seen enough to know how much he enjoys finding little ways to help people this time of year. The thing is, it’s true that the joy that comes from giving is better than any gift that might come perfectly wrapped this season.

Don’t wait until the snow is falling and the lights are strung across the valley to start thinking about how you’re going to do it.

Christina Myer is executive editor of The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. She can be reached via e-mail at cmyer@newsandsentinel.com