With the Christmas holiday season nigh upon us, it might be a right and proper time to consider what, if any, assistance we might offer to those whose situation could cut short, or even eliminate, the joys and surprises all American children should receive at this happiest time of the year.

Our Fire and Ice Rods and Customs automotive organization was forced, due to weather conditions, to cancel our annual Toys for Happiness car show in October.

We were pretty much resigned to writing-off the large number of toys and gifts we’d planned to accept during the day’s activities.

Our goal has been to fill the interior of a vintage automobile — and that goal was met in the past.

Luckily, and as a result, again, of Mall Manager Ed Mullaney’s fertile imagination, the project has been given new life.

We’ll have a presence at the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on Friday evening, Nov. 27, and we’ll continue our mission there.

People attending the festive occasion may bring suitable gifts — unwrapped — for children up to 15 years of age and we’ll accept, and forward them, to those responsible parties in the Toys for Happiness organization.

“It’s sort of a ‘Cumberland supports Toys for Happiness’ project,” Ed suggested — a twinkle in his eye. (Has he ever thought of portraying Santa during the season?)

Carrying our conversation a bit forward, we agreed there could very well be local residents who would like to contribute to the campaign, now in its 28th year, but for whatever reason are unable to bring their provisions to a pick-up site.

We think we may have stumbled onto a solution beneficial to all — we will pick them up.

Reverting back to the very early days of the Toys for Happiness project, where too few volunteers did it all, we Fire and Icers will come to your house, accept your offering(s), and distribute it (them) to those who pack the bags for eligible kids throughout the tri-state area.

The effort should leave a feel-good atmosphere all-around for those who participate and you’re encouraged to consider our offer. It’s a gift from our representatives.

Call the mall manager’s office at (301) 722-5500, or you can call me on my cell phone at (301) 707-0167.

Let’s work together to make this season bright for everyone.

Allen Haines

Fire and Ice representative