Since the 1930s, the Suffolk News-Herald has collected money at its office each Christmas season to help make it a merry one for the community.

The program initially began to help provide food for families who didn’t have enough to eat. The focus, however, soon switched to helping provide toys for children to find under the tree on Christmas morning.

Some years ago, the Cheer Fund got hooked up with Suffolk Toys for Tots. Now, all the money collected is turned over to Toys for Tots so that each and every child in Suffolk will know that Santa remembered them on Christmas morning.

Last year, nearly 5,000 children in Suffolk received toys thanks to the generosity of individuals, businesses, churches and community organizations that helped raise more than $35,000 to help buy the toys.

Still, the Cheer Fund fell short of its $45,000 goal last year and is on track to miss the mark again this year. With Christmas a week away, the Cheer Fund balance is only $17,725.

The protracted recession has certainly made any sort of charitable donations difficult for some. Job losses, flailing investments and other hardships have caused some who formerly donated to charities to become the beneficiaries of those charities, instead.

However, those who are able should take the time this week to consider writing a check to the Cheer Fund. The few minutes it takes to drop it in the mailbox or bring it to our office are a small sacrifice for a child to be able to have a few minutes of joy on Christmas morning.

To donate, send a check to P.O. Box 1220, Suffolk, VA 23439-1220, or bring it by our office at 130 S. Saratoga St. You will be glad you did.