The holidays are a time when most of us spend time with family, reminiscing on memories while we feast on our favorite meals and unwrap thoughtful gifts.

Those of us who put out the newspaper do those things, too, but a part of our minds are always devoted to the next deadline, and even in our celebrations, we’re thinking about what we’re going to write about next.

But in my case, the holidays have made me think a lot about what I’ve already written. As I sat with my family on Thanksgiving, I wondered how all of the Baldwin County folks I’ve interviewed were spending the day.

Did those I met who were hurting get a reprieve from their hardships that day? Did the people who have cancer get to leave the hospital? Did the struggling families have enough to eat?

And then I thought about all I’ve learned since I started meeting people here.

I’ve learned a lot about being thankful and living life to the fullest. I’ve learned about optimism in the face of fearful times, and I’ve learned about how a few dedicated people who care can make a huge difference.

But most of all, I’ve learned about selflessness and generosity.

Everywhere I turn, people are doing something — big or small — to help their neighbors.

This holiday season, I’ve been reflecting on how I’ve always wanted to help others, but have never consistently followed through with my desire. I’d bring cans to a food drive or make cards for people who live in nursing homes, but I have never made serving my community a regular part of my life. Maybe some of you are the same way — our excuses are endless.

Until I started meeting the people you’ve been reading about for the past few months, my favorite excuse was that I just didn’t know where to serve. Or maybe I was just too busy. It’s the thought that counts, right?

But after a few weeks of working in Baldwin County, my excuses got weaker and weaker. I’m convinced that just thinking positive thoughts about helping others isn’t enough.

There are so many deserving organizations right in our backyards that need volunteers, financial support and prayer. If you’re like me and have always wanted to help, but never got around to it, I challenge you this holiday season (or maybe even in the new year) to finally take the plunge. Let’s help our neighbors.

This looks different for everyone. Of course, you could help out at Prodisee Pantry on Tuesday mornings, packing grocery carts full of high-quality food and taking them to people’s cars. Or you could volunteer with Share the Beach, an organization that helps sea turtles survive the dangerous conditions they face in the first few minutes of their lives.

Maybe someone you know was diagnosed with cancer, and you want to make a difference. Work with Relay for Life, or even start your own fundraiser, like Carlos Wright does every year through his syrup-making event.

If you want to have one-on-one interactions with people who are in need of love and support, get in touch with the ladies at Under His Wings, a brand new nonprofit that helps troubled teenage girls get back on their feet. They need people to teach the girls all kinds of skills — cooking, sewing, budgeting or even how to apply makeup.

And these are just a few of the organizations in our community that need our support.

Deann Servos, the executive director at Prodisee Pantry, told me she believes the work Prodisee Pantry and other nonprofits are doing, which mainly helps struggling families, is beneficial for the entire community.

When we lift up the weakest among us, everyone is better off.

“Making sure grandma is fed and that children are fed — we’re really making our communities brighter for the future,” she told me.

It doesn’t matter where or how we serve — it just matters that we serve. The future depends on it. Let’s get out and do it.