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First thoughts of the end-of-year holiday season emerge for many people as summer gives way to autumn. This year autumn begins on Sept. 22 and, by then, many other residents of this area already will have turned their thoughts away from summer's hot, sultry days and refocused on the cooler conditions evolving and the beauty of the changing leaves.
Mention the phrase "season of sharing" and Christmas comes to mind, as well as something else that has become important here amid all else that the holiday season delivers. That "something else" is the Altoona Mirror's annual Season of Sharing campaign that each year benefits a worthy cause through the generosity of those who contribute.
This year marks the campaign's 21st "edition." Since 2005, -- the year when U.S. Armed Forces Mothers became the campaign's first beneficiary -- a total of $468,512 has been raised for great causes, some local and some that reached far beyond Blair County.
Samples of the local recipients over the past two decades have been the Miracle League of Blair County, Family Services Teen Center & Shelter, Altoona Food Bank, Blair County Library System, Blair County Suicide Prevention Task Force and, last year, the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society. Farther-reaching worthy recipients over the years have included Shriners Hospitals for Children, Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services, Skills Of Central PA and Hurricane Relief in Houston, Florida and Puerto Rico.
Therefore, mention of the words "Season of Sharing" reopens the realization, and serves as an ongoing reminder, of the needs that exist here and beyond -- beyond what usually are associated directly with holiday-
season giving. That spirit will be renewed this year by way of selection of a new recipient and highlighting its good work for all to see.
For the benefit of newcomers to this region or others who might not remember campaign details, an article in the Mirror's Sept. 13-14 edition explained what the fund-raising effort is about and how it is administered. Here's a quote from that article:
"Started in 2005, Season of Sharing uses the reach of the local newspaper and altoonamirror.com, the expertise of the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation and residents' generosity to benefit area nonprofits."
When the first campaign was launched, it was an experiment in how the community would react to another holiday-related appeal, but the experiment was intended to reach out beyond what generally are considered the parameters of the holiday season -- to produce benefits that might be far-reaching.
Season of Sharing continues to achieve that goal, and there is confidence that, even within the current economic uncertainties, the 2025 campaign will be successful as individuals and companies step up with their support.
Alluded to earlier in this editorial, the prime focus of the Sept. 13-14 article was to notify readers that it is time once again to suggest possible recipients for this year's campaign, and no one should be shy about coming forward with their ideas.
A nomination form can be found as a PDF by going to bit.ly/320j9cz.
Print out the nomination form and mail it to the Mirror at: Season of Sharing, 301 Cayuga Ave., Altoona, PA 16602. The nominations deadline is 4 p.m. Oct. 7.
Questions can be directed to Mirror publisher Dan Slep at 814-946-7426 or dslep@altoonamirror.com.
And, keep in mind that no contribution to this campaign is too large or too small.
Meanwhile, an early contribution will be a great way to shift into gear your holiday spirit.