I write about all the organizations and generous donors who are collecting and giving gifts for children. We must take care of all of our children. I painfully learned last year, when in a very difficult situation, that agencies do not give gifts to children above 12 years, or 14 or some, 16.

I know times are hard and painful. Whatever we do have must be shared fairly with all our children — and they are our children my friends, until they are 18. Being rational, a 6-month-old baby will not remember not getting a gift this year — a 16-year-old will and know that our L/A family cared about them.

If there are agencies out there that do provide opportunities for people to give gifts for older children, please make the information available to donors and families that are in need of these gifts.

My tears are one thing, but to see tears in the eyes of members of my community moves me to speak. They are silent and not visible; they often do not ask. A drawing of a tree on a wall will do for one family this year. We are better than that — the L/A village does care about all our families. I know we do.

For all our children, that we all have a grateful, healthy holiday season.

Kaileigh A. Tara, Lewiston