Life is getting busy now, with Christmas just a few days away.

Activities are starting to pick up, ranging from shopping to baking to family get-togethers and other events that consume so much of our thoughts and time.

Please don’t let the hustle and bustle become overwhelming and take over this year. Instead, take a moment or two to reflect. Look at your family and friends, neighbors or even the average passerby. Some might be struggling through unemployment and could be finding it difficult to take care of their basic necessities. Even those who have full-time jobs might find themselves in the unfamiliar position of having to choose between putting food on the table or taking prescription medicine, spending their money to heat their home or buying a few holiday gifts.

Our community continues to be thankful there are numerous agencies that help area residents bridge those gaps and offer those who find themselves in a tough spot a little breathing room between their resources and the cost of acquiring basic human needs. Food, clothing, toys and financial assistance are available, but the agencies that offer them are facing a sad continuing trend of increased demand for their services, and, more than ever, need the help of those who are fortunate enough to have a steady income.

Here’s a sobering reminder: A visit to any of those agencies or organizations can be an eye-opening experience. It’s likely you will discover that the growing number of those in need is becoming more evident.

With that in mind, we ask those who can to drop some more change into a Salvation Army kettle outside of a local store or help through any of the organizations spread around the region. A donation to our area United Ways — Jefferson County or the Upper Ohio Valley, which serves Brooke and Hancock counties — can go a very long way toward helping someone with food, shelter or warm clothing.

Salvation Army units in Brooke and Hancock counties and Steubenville always are appreciative of your help, as are those who run organizations including the Bay Six Project in Mingo Junction, the Community Bread Basket in Weirton, Wintersville Good Neighbors and numerous other agencies and food pantries that serve our region. Plus, several law enforcement agencies across the Tri-State Area have conducted shop-with-a-cop events — and already are looking ahead to next year.

Earlier this month, the United Way of Jefferson County teamed with the Franciscan University of Steubenville to prepare packets that will feed thousands through the Meals of Hope Program. Officials in Weirton conducted their annual toy drive which helped the Brooke-Hancock Resource Network and the Salvation Army of Hancock and Brooke Counties.

Also in Weirton, city officials and representatives of the Salvation Army of Brooke and Hancock Counties, All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, the Rotary Club of Weirton Heights, the Hancock Brooke Young Professionals, EZ Fresh Meals and Weirton Transit came together to provide holiday meals to shut-ins and residents of high-rise facilities.

In Steubenville, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church will continue its tradition of offering a free Christmas Day dinner to all who choose to attend.

Many other organizations are involved as well, including those like the Ohio Oil and Gas Association, which partnered with Toys for Tots to distribute gifts to families of children across the region, including Dec. 4 at the JeffCo Event Center in Steubenville.

Even a small donation of your time by visiting with some of the area’s senior citizens who are living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities can brighten someone’s day during a time of year that can be exceptionally lonely.

Again, if you are able, please dig deep this year, as residents of the Upper Ohio Valley have shown a willingness to do so many times before.

A donation of money, toys, clothing, a hat, a scarf, a pair of gloves or even canned goods really can go far. Simply offering the gift of your time, talents and abilities will not only help others but will lift your spirits as well.

The needs of those struggling to make ends meet and provide for their families won’t go away any time soon, so be kind and give what you are able to during this season of perpetual hope.