THANKS: It’s nearly time for Thanksgiving, a time to consider our blessings and how we can help our fellow community members who may not have so much.

We have lots of suggestions for helping. Host a knitting party to make hats, scarves and mittens for folks in need. Call a care home to see about hosting a bingo night or a craft night, or visiting with a group to sing Christmas carols.

Adopt a family through a charity like the Salvation Army, or Destinations Bradford. Adopt a child or senior through the ELF Fund. You’ll like the way it makes you feel when you know you are bringing happiness to someone else.

Make birthday bags. Put together gift bags full of kids’ birthday supplies like cake mix, candles and balloons, and drop them off at your local food bank as an extra surprise for a child who deserves a special day.

Collect wish list items for local charities, like Children’s Advocacy Center of McKean County or Bradford YWCA, or even charities for animals like the McKean County SPCA or No Feline Left Behind. Many local charities publish wish lists online (and many have direct buying links). If you’re in doubt, give them a call. You can also support Make-A-Wish on a local or international level.

Consider decorating the home of an older person who maybe can’t get out to do it themselves. If you’re baking, drop off some treats for neighbors. It feels good as the recipient to know someone’s thinking of them.

Call around to find out who could use volunteer help. A few hours of your time might make a huge difference for someone else.