Giving is getting. Get into the Christmas spirit and bring a canned good to the Christmas Parade.

The Salvation Army is known for its slogan, “Need knows No Season.” Christmas season reminds us that giving is better than receiving, especially when we have folks right here who do not have food or warm clothing.

Need is usually more evident during the holiday season, because when many are celebrating, perhaps your family cannot.

Dell Davis of the Claremore Chamber of Commerce said their plan to collect canned food at the Christmas Parade on Dec. 5 is due to the immense need this year in Rogers County and to help our neighbors who are struggling with the economy.

Unemployment is peaking as we head into the holidays. Those who are too young to remember past recessions or the great depression may find tough financial times necessitate paying more attention to how every dollar is spent.

Many churches and other non-profit organizations serve the needy year round as well as during the holiday season, but with the economy stuck in first gear and big corporate donations less likely this year, everyone’s help is necessary. Small donations add up. That is why canned food drives are so successful.

Davis has commandeered a few four wheelers that will tow trailers behind them in the Christmas Parade into which parade goers can gently place their canned food. Please do not throw your creamed corn or beanie weenies across the street at the trailer.

Your aim might have been good in high school, but we do not want to be knocking parade-goers out with string beans. Please do bring your goods and have some kids run them over to the four-wheelers as they travel up and down the parade route.

The bounty will be shared between the Good Samaritan Food Pantries in town: First United Methodist Church and its Good Samaritan Pantry and The Good Samaritan Ministry (sponsored by area Baptist churches including: Faith, First, North Park Trinity, Memorial Heights, Sequoyah, Sageeyah and Gregory in Inola.

These two ministries serve our communities year round and the requests for assistance with food have never been higher. Donations will also go to the Share the Spirit campaign which provides Christmas meals to needy families throughout the area.

After donating some food at the parade you’ll catch the Christmas spirit and want to give some more: just bring additional canned goods to receptacles in the Claremore Chamber office as well as in the Claremore Progress office throughout the holiday season. The Chamber and the Progress will offer one Santa Cash ticket to everyone who drops off canned goods to the receptacles in their lobbies. The Santa Cash drawing will be held Dec. 19 at Will Rogers Downs.

There will also be collection receptacles at The Handel’s Messiah Performance at Robson PAC following the Parade.

It would be great if everyone attending the parade brings at least one can of food. Please encourage your friends to do the same.

Christmas is the season for giving and caring…and we in Rogers County care about our neighbors and friends.