Time grows short to help out Item Santa

It seems that online shopping hasn?t dented the flow of traffic in and out of malls.With the hours looking ever more jam-packed heading into the holiday, we should also devote some attention to the needy across the North Shore.From that Salvation Army volunteer tirelessly waving his or her bell outside a mall to gift-wrap services to benefit charities, there are plenty of people ready to remind us that the poor deserve presents, too. You have read about many of these children in the pages of this newspaper through Item Santa appeals. You still have a chance to contribute.Let?s face it, the gifts that we adults give each other for the holidays are pretty boring. The holidays acquire their magic from the children who receive their anticipated – and far more interesting – gifts at Christmas, like footballs and easels, ice skates and teddy bears. Being a kid means playing with toys.Sadly, there are children who will not get a chance to unwrap something special on Christmas Day unless a generous donor steps in. With the economy plummeting, it may be difficult to expend even a few dollars for charity this holiday season, but we need to remember that as bad as it may be for ourselves, it?s far worse for others, including many children.None of us can cure poverty overnight, but if each of us makes a donation to charity this holiday season, we can help collectively spread joy to children across the area on Christmas Day. The excitement of getting a new toy on Thursday morning would start a child?s day off with surprise and joy. In this season of stress, that?s something to celebrate.Click here to download a coupon to make a donation to Item Santa.Mail it, along with your check, to The Item Salvation Army Santa, P.O. Box 951, Lynn, MA 01903.For more information, call the Salvation Army at 781-598-0673.