The holidays are a time of tradition, and in Ann Arbor, one of the traditions worth preserving is Warm the Children.

For more than a decade now, the community has donated time and money to this program, providing thousands of less privileged youngsters with coats, mittens, hats and other clothing.

With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, AnnArbor.com has kicked off the 13th annual Warm the Children campaign. We invite you to consider supporting this effort, or any of the other deserving charities in our community during this giving season.

People who are familiar with Warm the Children know that each year, money raised from the previous year allows volunteers to take children shopping for warm clothing just as winter is approaching. This year, our goal is to help at least 2,500 children from needy families, and it looks like we will top that goal by at least a hundred. The children are identified by school social workers.

But even as we prepare for this year’s shopping, we also are in the process of raising funds for next year. The current Warm the Children campaign launched on Nov. 8, and the goal is to raise $250,000 for 2010. Though we’re early in the campaign, the community already has donated $29,000 and we’re optimistic that we’ll meet our goal.

Ann Arbor has always embraced Warm the Children. Many of the volunteer shoppers who’ve been involved in the program started nine or 10 years ago, and many businesses, service clubs and other groups have adopted the program as a cause they support annually.

For the past 12 years, the program was supported by The Ann Arbor News, which covered all overhead and administrative costs, so that every dollar donated to Warm the Children went directly to clothing for youngsters. When The News closed earlier this year, some in the community wondered what the fate of Warm the Children would be. But this worthwhile program is one worth preserving, and honoring the past practice of The News, AnnArbor.com is taking on all costs, so that 100 percent of the funds donated will continue to be spent on clothing.

If you are interested in contributing to Warm the Children, you can do so by downloading this coupon. For more information on the program, you can call the Warm the Children hotline at 734-623-2525.

This year, donating also can be as simple as visiting our new community space on the first floor of 301 E. Liberty St. in downtown Ann Arbor and having a cup of coffee. The coffee is being donated on a rotating basis by local coffee roasters, and your purchase of a cup of coffee for $1.50 goes directly to Warm the Children.

In these difficult economic times, all charities are seeing an increasing strain on their services. The decision to give is a personal one, but any gift you are able to make to Warm the Children or other good causes will make a big difference. This is a time not only to give thanks, but also to be thankful for those who give.

(This editorial was published in today's newspaper and reflects the opinion of the AnnArbor.com Editorial Board.)