BY MARCELLE HANEMANN

The Daily News

As the week of Thanksgiving begins and prompts thoughts of everything for which we are grateful, The Daily News suggests a tradition for families as they gather around tables laden with food and ringed with smiling faces.

Why not be thankful for, and take advantage of, the opportunity to give so that others with more meager fare and less reason to smile can have a brighter Christmas? Could that be the perfect way to coincide the spirits of the holiday seasons?

There are a number of worthy local programs established to help needy residents at this time of year. Among them is the Care and Share program, sponsored by The Daily News for more than 30 years.

Care and Share has a goal of presenting food vouchers as Christmas gifts to 75 needy individuals. To do so, it depends upon contributions from those who can give to the cause.

Recipients are checked out to verify need, and only one voucher is allowed per address.

To nominate a recipient, send the name, address and telephone number, plus the reason you believe that person would be a candidate for the gift, along with your own name and phone number to P.O. Box 820 Bogalusa, LA, or stop by the Daily News office at 525 Avenue U in Bogalusa. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 4.

To help provide a Merry Christmas, send or deliver a check payable to Care and Share to one of the same addresses.