From about Thanksgiving through Christmas, the spirit of the holidays lives in all of us.

In reality, we should express that holiday spirit in our words and deeds to our fellow man on a daily basis, not simply during the holidays. We feel good about helping others during this time of the year and that assistance triggers an inner peace.

The true heroes in our area help the less fortunate on a daily basis. Bogalusa Help Center Director Gene Hayman and his band of volunteers live by the notion that some people need help with food, electricity and other necessities. Without the Food Bank, this area would see many, many hungry people.

Ministers at Tuesday’s first ecumenical Thanksgiving service at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church blessed food items donated by area residents. ESM United Methodist minister, the Rev. Bill Moon, First Presbyterian Church minister, the Rev. James Slayton, and St. Matthews’s minister, the Rev. LeBaron Taylor, blessed the donations.

Rev. Taylor said organizers hoped to offer more ecumenical services in the future. That is to be applauded.

There were a number of organizations which sought to help those less fortunate during Thanksgiving. Three of those organizations included the Central Memorial High School Class of 1968, Spartanette Service Club and Bogalusa Knights of Columbus Council 1819.

Central Memorial graduates selected two senior citizens from the Washington Parish Council on Aging and presented them with boxes of Thanksgiving food. The For their November Service project, the Spartanettes visited elderly in the area and presented them with gift certificates to local restaurants. The Bogalusa Knights of Columbus hosted a Gumbo Cook off. All proceeds were donated to the Bogalusa Help Center.

Those organizations, and other similar organizations that help the less fortunate, are to be commended.

Let’s all make an extra effort to remember those in need. Not just during the holidays, but every day. Our city and parish will be better because of it.