What a wonderful thing Windsor Police Chief Vic Reynolds has started in the community he serves.

Three years ago, Reynolds heard there were a few children in town who wouldn’t be getting toys for Christmas. So he bought a few presents, and with help from the Windsor Volunteer Fire Department, rode around town handing out gifts.

The next year, the program grew. Residents donated toys and volunteers stepped up the plate. For this year’s Toys for Kids program, Reynolds had to rent a storage unit for all the donations.

What has happened in Windsor seems to happening everywhere.

For a second year, the Salvation Army teamed up with the Trooper Hill Toy Drive to give thousands of toys in addition to coats, hats and gloves to children from 266 needy Western Tidewater families.

Members of New Hope Church of God in Christ in Norfolk on Saturday visited Franklin, where they gave gifts and food to 545 people who attended a Christmas giveaway at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center. It’s estimated that the program will serve 1,065 residents.

These are just a very few of the stories we’ve heard, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg. Most of the churches in Western Tidewater help needy families at the holidays, as do service and social organizations.

So thanks to all of you for helping those in need. Tis the season.

Oh, Windsor children need to watch for Windsor fire trucks, police cars and rescue squad units on Christmas Day. They will get a chance to see Santa when he’s escorted through town from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.