Our View: Homefront help

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Updated: March 14, 2012 1:49AM

We have no idea what caused donors to Help Them to Hope to dig so deep this year that the annual holiday fund drive totaled a whopping record $91,317.88. We’re stunned, to say the least.

But this record — almost $37,000 more than in 2010 and nearly $7,000 more than the previous record, set in 2000, when the fund tallied $84,410.53 — reinforces what we have believed for some time: How fortunate we are to live and work in Lake County, to call this corner of northeast Illinois home.

Despite our flaws as a county and state, we remain a generous people, willing to come forward during the holiday season and give freely in an economy remaining flat. Perhaps that is why this record amount was reached. We are all in it together, through the thick and thin of downsizing, layoffs and anemic paychecks. Maybe we’re thankful we still have those paychecks and are willing to share.

Proceeds from the 2011-12 collection will be divided between seven local charities which use funds collected for basic necessities — food, shelter and clothing — and emergency assistance.

We’re sure the pressmen who kicked off the Hope Fund charity in 1959 with leftover coffee fund money would be surprised at reaching a figure of more than $91,317. In 1959, that was real money, as they used to say. Since that time Lake Countians have given more than $2.32 million to help their neighbors in need.

This year’s record amount obviously will go to a record number in need who can count their blessings that they, too, call Lake County home and are surrounded by neighbors who care what happens to them; who care that even with economic upheavals there is hope during the holiday season.

The Help Them to Hope board carefully selects agencies that have low administrative overhead and stipulates that all donations must go directly to aid people in need in Lake County. There are no administrative costs in administering the fund which means money goes directly to those who need it. And, while the current campaign has ended for the time being, donations are accepted year-round.

By giving this year and helping the Hope Fund achieve this record, hundreds of Lake County residents this holiday have aided thousands of their neighbors. They have delivered a fitting holiday message that all of us can admire and repeat it in the year ahead: There is always hope.