This issue of the Faribault County Register is our annual “Good News” edition. It is the issue before Christmas which we try to fill with all Good News stories.

Of course, we still report the news. Some of the stories this week are about taxes going up, some are about local sports teams losing, one is about a fire, and, of course, there are a couple of obituaries. Not exactly good news for some folks.

However, there is an awful lot of Good News inside this newspaper this week. And, since it is the Christmas Season, I like to say that the Register this week is full of “Christmas Cheers.”

One of those Christmas Cheers goes to the four ladies, Abigail Anderson, Veronica Rodriguez, Kalene Winter and Elizabeth Minor, who do the Western Faribault County Toy Drive – and to everyone who donates toys and money to the drive.

Maybe you donate to those happy Campers at the You Can Make A Difference Campout. On page 2 this week you can read about how all those toys that are donated at the Campout are distributed, this year to 64 local families who otherwise might not have much for gifts for their kids this Christmas. Cheers to everyone who makes that possible.

A big Christmas Cheer goes out to the Knights of Columbus at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Each year they put on a party for some very special people, those with special needs, some of whom live in group homes. There is a big Christmas dinner, and Santa arrives and hands out gifts to all of them.

Each year when I go to take photos of the event, I come back with a warm feeling about the real meaning of giving at Christmas. To see the pure joy these folks get because someone, Santa, gave them a gift is something to see. I mean, they are sometimes happy just to get a Christmas gift bag ­- the gift inside is a bonus.

Cheers to the KCs and all those who think of others at Christmas and make it special for some folks for whom it might not be special without some help.

Another big Cheer goes out to all the law enforcement personnel who help out with Shop With a Cop, and especially their leader, Erin Beske.

This is another fine example of helping some kids get – and be able to give – toys at Christmas. Kids who might not be able to do so without a little assistance from some friendly, neighborhood cops.

We will Cheer some other folks who are making a difference in some important people’s lives.

Scott Adams, Mark Purvis and Jim and Shelley Volz are doing something remarkable with their program ‘When the Smoke Clears.’

Some of us realize what a demanding thing it is to be a law enforcement officer, EMT and ambulance technician and a firefighter. However, many folks don’t.

I am amazed at what they have to do, and see, at all hours of the day and night. And, happy that there are people who want to do it.

But the strain can take a toll and this new program seems to be helping those who usually help others, but also need help to deal with what they do.

A Christmas Cheer goes out to all of you out there who make donations during the Holiday Season.

Cheers to the Celebrity Bartenders at Average Jo’s who donated their tips to several worthy causes.

Cheers to those who helped the Blue Earth Community Foundation raise over $10,000 on Give to the Max Day, and the Blue Earth Area School Foundation also on that day.

Cheers to everyone who goes out of their way to make Christmas a special time for everyone.

Cheers to the staff at the Register who put in extra hours and battled some snow and rain and wind to help get this Good News issue of the Register out for you to be reading it.

And a whole bunch of Christmas Cheer to all of you.

Thanks for reading us.