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The Cheer Fund is nearly halfway to its goal, and folks are encouraged to give now to cross one more thing off their list before the Christmas rush. Donations in honor of someone make a great Christmas gift for those hard-to-shop-for people on your list.

The Suffolk News-Herald Cheer Fund was started by the newspaper during the Great Depression to provide clothes and food for needy families. It eventually began providing toys for children and teamed up with the Toys for Tots and the Salvation Army.

These days, this program of the newspaper is its own nonprofit, with an independent board, and each year collects roughly $40,000 from individuals, groups and foundations in the community. This money goes directly to the purchase of toys by the Salvation Army.

Donations can be made in honor or in memory of anyone you like, and that notation will be listed in the newspaper along with your gift. You can also give anonymously if you like.

To donate to the Cheer Fund, send a check to P.O. Box 1220, Suffolk, VA 23439 or bring it to the newspaper office, 157 N. Main St., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

If you bring the check to our office, we’ll even take your picture as you hand it to one of our staff.