Tri-State Area residents take pride in doing what we can to take care of one another. If there is a need, we try to meet it. Given that there are still so many struggling throughout the region, that need is not likely to lessen any time soon.

It is fortunate, then, that according to WalletHub’s annual report on Most Charitable States, that our region has a couple of the highest-ranking states: Pennsylvania is ninth, according to the Washington, D.C.-based personal financial website, while Ohio is 16th. West Virginia ranks 44th.

Pennsylvania ranks 12th for volunteering and service, and 12th for charitable giving. Ohio is 21st for volunteering and 16th for charitable giving, while West Virginia is 35th for volunteering and 48th for charitable giving.

That giving doesn’t usually come in the form of money, though, as Ohio is ranked 47th for the percentage of the population who donates money, but is third for the percentage of the population that collects and distributes food. West Virginia ranks 50th when it comes to donating money.

Overall, Wyoming ranked best in the report, while New Mexico was worst.

According to Giving USA, donors from the United States gave $592 billion to charities in 2024, with 66 percent of that coming from individuals. Americans also are generous with their time — nearly 76 million people donate 5 billion hours of service each year, which is the equivalent of $167.2 billion in service.

“The most charitable states aren’t just the places where people give the largest raw amounts of money,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “The share of the population contributing and the percentage of their individual incomes they’re willing to use to help others are big factors in showing how charitable people are. In addition, many people can’t afford to give much money, especially due to the influence of inflation, but they generously donate their time, which is just as important.”

It’s true. Sometimes those who seem as though they have the least to give are the ones trying to do the most.

Such recognition of the tendency of area residents to try to help where we can should serve as an inspiration to look around and see where we can do more. Yes, it is the time of year when such opportunities will present themselves in the form of toy and gift drives, winter clothing collections and community meals. Those are a good start.

But take a cue from your friends and neighbors and dig deeper. Find ways to offer a hand up — however you can.