For some children, the days between now and Dec. 25 are running together and are slow as molasses.

Will Christmas ever get here?

For some adults, it’s a bit more of the opposite. It’s going to be here before we know it, whether we’re ready or not.

As kids so often do, there’s an excitement that comes from seeing the Christmas tree at the house. Its lights can be mesmerizing, taking them deep into fantasy thoughts. And as they look at the packages, first a couple, then every so often another one or two added, those thoughts expand.

That is, indeed, the way it is at some homes.

At others, there may or may not even be a tree. And there may be very little to share when it comes to gifts. It’s heartbreaking to think that every child will not have a joyous and memorable Christmas morning.

But that is the reality of 2019, much like 2018 and many more years before.

Exactly how long the Empty Stocking Fund has been in existence, we’re not sure. What we are sure of is that it is going on this year, and the fund has been growing.

That warms our heart, and it’s going to make Christmas better for a number of children in Bladen County in a little more than two weeks.

But for the Empty Stocking Fund, this week is it.

Let us repeat that — this is the last week for donations to the Empty Stocking Fund. And we would be much obliged for your help.

Through Friday, collections had topped $7,000. And make no mistake, that is a lot of money and that is going to bring a lot of smiles come the morning of Dec. 25.

We want to help every family that makes an application through the county’s Department of Social Services. That’s not easy, but we’re going to try. We know the staff at DSS has a tough job to do 365 days a year, but we also know how diligent they are putting the resources of the county together each and every one of those days.

And they especially do a great job at Christmas with not only assisting the Empty Stocking Fund but also a number of other benevolent endeavors.

So here we are, the end of the year, and the final week of donations for the Empty Stocking Fund. We’ve got terrific partners in the DSS and Leinwands, an Elizabethtown favorite since the 1930s.

As you, your civic or church group, or perhaps just your morning breakfast friends at a local cafe or restaurant meet this week, please consider how you can help. Maybe you and your coworkers want to chip in $25 between you — that would be super. Every penny counts.

On behalf of the kids in Bladen County, we offer sincere thanks.

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