Last week I had the pleasure of joining a group of co-workers at the Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner, and my sappy self was moved to tears.

Much like previous years, the annual dinner was a time reserved for celebrating success throughout the community. This year, however, the chamber celebrated members who followed a common theme: they cared for their community.

Throughout the evening, we heard about a bar owner who volunteered his time to clear the streets of snow and debris so that customers could visit not only his establishment, but neighbors’ businesses, too (including competitors!).

We heard about a nonprofit group that sees some of the most battered and broken throughout our community and offers them resources to get out of their situation.

We heard about a new business working hard to offer healthy solutions to Dowagiac residents.

And we heard about the group of unsung heroes that make up the Dowagiac Union Schools staff, many of whom would give the shirts off their back to help a child in need.

I left the chamber dinner touched and inspired by the overwhelming generosity in the Dowagiac community, and found myself thinking of this giving spirit for days afterward. Of course, our other communities are filled with givers like those in Dowagiac, as well.

It warms my heart to see friends and neighbors committed to finding coats for those who cannot afford them, giving their time to collect money for those less fortunate, assembling baskets of food for those in need or even simply taking a few minutes to put a smile on another person’s face.

The chamber dinner served as a great precursor to the giving season, a time when many go above and beyond to give to those in need. Whether you wish to donate time, money or resources, I encourage you to reach out to any of the following to see how you can help:

• Ferry Street Resource Center (Niles) — (269) 687-9860

• The Salvation Army (Niles) — (269) 684-2660

• ACTION Ministries (Dowagiac) — (269) 782-0000

• Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services (serving the greater Cass County area) — (800) 828-2023

• Helping Hands (Cassopolis) — (269) 445-8104

• Redbud Area Ministries (Buchanan) — (269) 695-5083

• Edwardsburg Food Pantry (Edwardsburg) — (269) 699-5870

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan (Niles) — (269) 684-1100

• United Way of Southwest Michigan (serving Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties) — (269) 982-1700

• Goodwill of northern Indiana (serves Niles area) — (574) 472-7300

I also encourage you to reach out to local churches, senior living facilities, civic organizations, schools, police stations and veteran groups.

Those wishing to get the word out about philanthropic efforts this holiday season should email the newsroom at news@leaderpub.com.

Thank you to the Dowagiac chamber for getting us in the giving spirit and reminding us that caring for our community should happen all year long.

Ambrosia Neldon is the general manager at Leader Publications. She can be reached by phone at (269) 687-7700 or by email at ambrosia.neldon@leaderpub.com