The holiday season is supposed to be a time of compassion for those in need and of giving because it just feels good.
In some cases, it takes the worst in some people to bring out the best in others. In other cases, it's a matter of wanting to help those who are less fortunate.
Here are a few things valley people are doing -- on their own -- in the spirit of the season:
RIGHTING A WRONG -- David Allan Cutchall III is a 5-year-old kindergartner in Waterford.
Last week, burglars struck the home of one of his schoolmates. The girl's parents had bought bicycles and other gifts for the children, only to have the Grinches of the world steal their Christmas.
A little boy with a big heart, David decided to do something about it. He's been judiciously saving coins and currency for much of his young life. He approached his mother, Emily Cutchall, with an idea.
"Mom," he asked, "can I take half of the money from my piggy bank and give it to the kids who lost their Christmas presents?"
So he raided the bank, which contained about $100, grandma Michele Cutchall said.
"His mom has tried to teach him that Christmas is about giving," Michele Cutchall said. "She was really touched. Emily cried and said, 'If he can give $50, so can we.' "
Mom matched his $50. So did Grandma, and other relatives contributed, too. Soon they had roughly $170 and presented it to the victimized family.
"The mom and dad were really touched," Michele Cutchall said. "They started crying. I thought what David did is great. What you give, you get back tenfold."
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