The local “Pay It Forward” group made Christmas brighter for many area families. On Dec. 21, five volunteers distributed food boxes and gifts to qualifying people waiting in line in their vehicles at the former Terra Publishing building on North State Street. Organizer Tim Jackson said personnel from the SNI Fire Department delivered to seven families that were unable to make their own pickup. In 2024, the program served 164 families with over 400 children. Jackson said this year’s program served 138 families with over 250 kids.