During this Christmas season, Bladen County deserves our collective kudos.

We’ve heard of and seen so many local programs and efforts aimed at making Christmas a little better for those in the county who might not otherwise have one.

Though we run the risk of leaving one or more out, we think efforts like Christmas For Kids by the Bladenboro Police Department, the toy drive by the Schultz & Ellis Chiropractic office and the toy giveaway by Elizabethtown Baptist Church are examples of what is being done.

And then there’s our own Empty Stocking Fund, for which numerous individuals, businesses, churches and organizations participate by making donations. The money collected each year goes to help fill the Christmas dreams of local children.

This year, the Bladen Journal received more than 25 gifts totaling more than $6,700. Some of them were large gifts — like the $2,000 from Trinity UMC Men’s Club and the $1,000 from the Classic Cruisers Car Club and the $600 from Danaher employees — and some were as little as pocket change.

All of it will be used for a worthy cause.

We can’t emphasize enough how appreciative we are for each and every gift received.

And this week, those gifts will be turned into gift cards to Walmart and Leinwand’s, and delivered into the hands of parents who only want one thing — to give their children a happy Christmas. That may mean some much-needed clothing or a toy or school supplies. Whatever it means, those who gave to the Empty Stocking Fund should wake up on Christmas morning happy knowing that you played a part.

And if, for any reason, additional gifts continue to trickle in this week, those gifts will be used to assist someone who may have been missed along the way.

It is our goal that every penny bring joy to someone who needs a little bit of Christmas spirit.

And for that, we can only give our heartfelt thanks to all of you who made it possible.

Thank you so much.