If you missed it the last couple of weeks, Webb Weekly is again doubling up your Red Kettle donation made to The Salvation Army Williamsport. This is something that began in remembrance of Dave Sechler, to help carry on his work of a lifetime. This year’s first donation actually came in shortly after the paper reached your mailboxes. A sincere thank you to that gentleman; I wasn’t in the office at the time. I especially appreciate his sharing of Christmas music with us each year.

So, here’s a simple overview if you would like to help folks locally who need a helping hand. You can drop by my office at 280 Kane Street, Suite 2, South Williamsport, PA 17702, and make a donation in person. For your effort and generosity, there will be a Webb Weekly coffee mug filled with Christmas candy. If you would like to mail it in, use the same address, checks payable to The Salvation Army Williamsport, and somewhere on the envelope, mark it “Remembering Dave.” Webb Weekly will match up to $5,000 in donations.

Jaimie Hoover, a member of my Webb Weekly team, does a great job of greeting everyone as they come through the door of our office. She also takes care of making sure any checks mailed in immediately find their way into the Red Kettle. If there are any stories or conversations about Dave you would like to share with me, and I’m not here, please feel free to share them with Jaimie; she’ll pass them on.

If you would like to make a contribution to The Salvation Army in a different way, next week’s cover will be Festival of Trees. There have been a lot of good people that have worked very hard, decorated, and made great donations for over 20 years to make the event happen. This year’s Festival of Trees will be held in downtown Williamsport at 33 W. Third St.

A tip of my Santa cap to my friend and auctioneer Michael T. Roan for his efforts. I wonder how many Christmas trees he’s auctioned off over the years?

If you are looking for that special present, there are many great gifts to be found within our local small business community. There are wonderful people at almost all to help you find just the right gift. Please get out and about, shop ‘til you drop, and have a great meal at one of our fantastic local restaurants.

A tip of my Webb Weekly cap with the American Flag on the side to the greatest generation. “Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy— the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” ~ President Franklin D. Roosevelt

What an absolutely amazing response by the men and women of this time. It was through their efforts that the history of our great Nation was won and then secured for future generations.

I can only pray that when our next day of infamy occurs Americans can come together to again answer the call.

Tragically, there were over 2,300 military personnel lost at Pearl Harbor. There are currently about 5,000 Military personnel and 80 to 90 aircrafts present on a modern-day United States aircraft carrier. As these are being deployed to the hotspots around the world, they are a constant target.

Please keep the American soldier in your thoughts and prayers, as well as their families.

I only have a few columns left before the end of the year and I like to focus on all the good happening during the Christmas season. So, I will be taking a break from world events and politics.

Let’s all be safe out there and enjoy this most joyous time of year.

God Bless America.