As we enter the most festive time of the year, there could be some folks in the community who aren’t feeling quite so celebratory.

They might be homeless or hungry; unable to buy food and toys for their holiday celebrations; depressed or suffering from another mental or physical illness; recovering from drug addiction; unemployed; or any number of other situations.

One organization in the community is offering help with all of those situations, during the holiday season and year-around: the Salvation Army.

With the proceeds from its ubiquitous red kettles, the organization does its Christmas programs, such as toys and meals, and also hopes to have some left over for its regular assistance needs.

But this year, the organization has four fewer kettle locations, and a few other locations are delaying the start of the bell-ringing. That means the organization could be facing a shortfall of donations.

The Salvation Army, therefore, will need everybody’s help to keep its programs going in the coming year. The first opportunity to help will be the next Saturday, Nov. 24, when there will be a concert to benefit the organization.

The event will be held Nov. 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church, 3488 Godwin Blvd. Admission will be a donation placed in one of the kettles on site.

Scheduled acts include a mime, solos, duets, praise dances, sign language interpretation, a bells choir and a children’s group.

For those who can’t make it to the concert, a donation at any of the red kettles around town throughout the season will surely be appreciated. And volunteer bell-ringers are needed also.

For more information on the concert or to volunteer as a bell-ringer, call 539-5201.

Another way to help families who can’t afford gifts for their children to open on Christmas morning is to donate to the Cheer Fund. The Cheer Fund, run by the Suffolk News-Herald, raises money for Suffolk’s Toys for Tots program.

To donate, send a check to P.O. Box 1220, Suffolk, VA 23439 or come by the office, 130 S. Saratoga St., Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.