The holiday season is now in full swing. Shopping areas are
packed as residents attempt to fill their bags with items to fit
beneath the tree. Supermarkets also are jammed full of people,
hurriedly racing down the aisles, filling up their cart with the yearly
supply of family favorites. And, around town people are bundling up,
walking swiftly, forgoing their typical smiles and greetings as they
race for the warmth of their cars and homes.

But thankfully there are still people who are taking time from the race
and are counting down the days in a different manner. Samantha
Robertson realized during her time volunteering at the Prebele Street
Resource Center that many people don't have those cars – or homes – to
escape winter's cool breath. The teenager decided to host a clothing
drive in the hopes that the many people who wait in line for a warm
meal will also have a warm body.

Rotary volunteers will once again spend their time in the cold as they
set up shop for the 45th annual Christmas tree sale fundraiser. Money
from the trees sold at Mill Creek Park in South Portland will benefit
community causes throughout South Portland and Cape Elizabeth. And
Southern Maine Community College VISTA volunteer Katie Clark has been
spending her days encouraging residents to spend some of their holiday
cheer on those less fortunate by supporting the Alternative Gift
Market.

Take a moment from that hectic schedule and dig through your closets to
donate to Robertson's clothing drive, pick out an early gift to your
famliy with a tree for the living room, or purchase a gift for a family
you don't know and will never meet.

There are countless other people and organizations who are working to
ensure that everyone has a happy holiday season this year – but
there are always more donations and volunteers needed to make sure we
inch closer to that ultimate goal.