About a decade ago, my father planted a cedar tree right by the road in our front yard. After a year or two, it was big enough that he could string lights on it and decorate it for the holidays.

It became his little holiday tradition. Every year around this time, he would go outside, run lights around the tree and say a few words about how fast it was growing. On Sunday, I went outside to accompany him as he trimmed it, but this time he needed a ladder in order to get near the treetop. Next year, he will need an even taller ladder.

Looking up at the tree, which now soars several feet above my 6’1” head, I couldn’t believe it was the same tree.

Hopefully through the years that cedar tree has brought a little Christmas spirit to passersby. As I looked at it and breathed in its sweet scent, memories came flooding back about all of the great Christmases we’ve had through the years.

One in particular comes to mind. Just a few years ago, my mom and I bought my dad a recliner, and we managed to wrap it. The box it came in was so large that we had to slide it back and forth in order to see the television and to be able to get out the front door. It made life difficult for a few weeks, but it also created quite a few laughs.

The point is we never had a ton of money, but my sister and I were fortunate enough to have a great family around us and plenty of presents under the tree. Now both of us are married and out of the house. But when we have children, we both plan to keep the spirit alive that our parents bestowed upon the holidays and create traditions of our own.

Sadly, not everyone has the same experience with Christmas.

According to 2011 Census data, Dallas County had 35.5 percent of people at or below the poverty average. That’s almost double the average for the rest of Alabama, which is 18.6 percent. There are a lot of children that will not experience a joyful Christmas this year, and some of them are right here in our backyard. There are many programs in our county focused on helping others this time of the year and they do a great job.

Salvation Army volunteers stand outside Wal-Mart and other local stores. The Angel Tree program helps many local children each year, and there are other organizations out there that give back as well.

With only about one week left until Christmas, time is running out, but wouldn’t it be great if everybody that could gave back just a little this year? Whatever it is, whether it be a $10, $5, $1 or even a quarter, it will help in the long run or even taking a few clothes to a homeless shelter.

Like the cedar tree my dad planted years ago, that little donation may not seem like much at first, but in the long run it may end up making a big difference in someone’s life.