It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
In Cleveland County, however, local businesses, organizations, law enforcement and individuals have worked tirelessly to provide for those who may not be able to provide for themselves.
Earlier this week, community members began to notice scarves tied around poles and banisters throughout uptown Shelby, left for anyone who might be cold.
Polly Causby, president of the First Baptist Church of Shelby's Sunday school class, said she heard about the idea from another area, and she knew it was something her group would be able to provide for those in need.
"It’s something we can do, and I think it’s the nature of our group," she said. "A scarf around your neck means a lot in the way of body warmth."
Causby said about two weeks ago, she and another member tied 10 scarves to trees in uptown Shelby, with a note that read, "I am not lost. If you can use me to stay warm, please take me. God bless you."
She said the next day, all but two had found homes.
The Sunday school class has more scarves to give, and Causby said they intend to put more out in other parts of uptown after Christmas.
A second group responsible for free scarves around uptown wished to remain anonymous. The gesture was a sign that the spirit of giving remains alive.
The mother of a child involved in this effort said it began as something small and has grown exponentially as Christmas grew near. She said though the group wanted to remain unnamed, their message shouldn't go unheard.
"The kids became invested in the cause, and it grew. From warm clothing, scarves, toys, children's books, (they) got involved and made baked goodies and bought and donated items," she wrote in a letter to The Star. "Each had a different project but the same message: 'Jesus loves you. Spread the word, and pass it on.'"
The woman, who also wished to remain unnamed, said the group left items for those in need, sang Christmas carols in restaurants and uptown stores and visited local safety enforcement, grocery stores and the hospital, paying for meals and helping with groceries.
"They left messages of encouragement and love and spread the word of God. As a parent, my daughter was filled with amazing stories of the different ways she had been blessed," she said. "These children learned something today that will change them forever. One person can be the change. When you do good deeds you get more back than you give."
Local law enforcement has also gotten involved in the effort to provide a happier holiday for those who are going without.
Matt Melvin, Shelby Police Department's crime prevention office, said the department has helped 22 families give their children a Christmas with an excess of 300 toys and games. J&E Auto Sales provided a toy drive event on Dec. 2 to assist the department. BoJangles donated several family sized meals, which Shelby PD took to those in need.
"We have also had a couple of donations from private individuals who were very generous with a number of very vice toys and gifts ... One restaurant has also donated several holiday meals for the families,"
Melvin said the gifts were delivered to families on Tuesday and Wednesday.
"Santa Claus went with us to one home, which was pretty exciting," he said. "It was a privilege to be involved with it, and I am reminded of how truly generous this community is. This will put Christmas in a whole new light for me."
The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office also helped those in need in the community this year by providing presents and essentials to 15 different families in the county.
"The patrol and investigative divisions worked together to come up with a list of needy families, that they had come in contact with in the county, who needed help this year," Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman said.
The Sheriff's Office received donations from community members and also from deputies reaching into their own pockets to help. Patrol divisions spent part of their shifts last week spreading Christmas cheer to those families by delivering toys, clothing and basic necessities to the families.
"These families struggle with some of the basics that you and I take for granted," Norman said. "One little boy just wanted new bed linen for his bed."
The Star saw its Empty Stocking Fund continue to grow as Christmas Day drew closer.
The fund, which this year benefits the efforts of the Salvation Army, reached nearly $23,000 by the end of business Friday. The goal of $25,000 by the first of 2017 appears well within reach thanks to generous donations — small and large — from across the county.
On Thursday, Michael Cheng and Chen's Chinese Restaurant donated all proceeds from its lunch to the Empty Stocking campaign.
Cheng's longtime "customer, friend and mentor," the late Hoyt Bailey, proved to be his guiding force in assisting the Salvation Army's efforts. Through his business life and after retirement, Bailey consistently gave generous donations to the Empty Stocking Fund.
"It was a lot out of respect for Hoyt,"said Cheng, no stranger to philanthropic efforts of his own through the years. "He would usually step up to help the community he loved so much. They originally wanted me to help out with the Angel Tree, but I said, 'We can do better than that ... Let's have lunch.'"
And this barely scratches the surface.
Beginning with Connect, Commit to Change and Hog Happenin' in the fall, through Christmas, we saw countless amount of giving around our area.
Some were anonymous and may have gone unnoticed. Some were large and some were small.
But the same spirit could be seen in each of your gifts and contributions to those in need.
Merry Christmas, Cleveland County.