Dec. 8—Readers of the Aiken Standard are contributing a Christmas gift that will keep giving even after the holiday season ends.

The Aiken Standard once again is sponsoring its Community Christmas Card to help students in the Aiken County Public School District, and its readers are continuing to show their desire to help students all year long.

All donations — 100% of the proceeds — will be divided among the schools to help students who can't afford or need help with warm clothing, new shoes, school supplies or services.

For a $1 donation, the Aiken Standard will publish the contributor's name in the Christmas Day issue of the newspaper in its fifth Community Christmas Card. Readers contributed $6,498 in 2020.

"It's gratifying to see that, since the fund began in 2017, our readers and area businesses have contributed nearly $20,000 for the Community Christmas Card," said John Boyette, executive editor of the Aiken Standard and North Augusta Star. "We know the generosity of our community, and we know there is a real need to help children in our schools."

All contributions will be set up in an easily accessed fund and used at the discretion of the Aiken County Public Schools' counselors to help their students meet immediate needs.

"Once we presented this idea in the Aiken Standard and North Augusta Star, our readers' response was immediate and humbling," said Rhonda Overbey, publisher of the Aiken Standard and North Augusta Star. "The Community Christmas Card is an ongoing example of how something as small as $1 can create a ripple and help one child."

Readers can make a contribution for themselves, to honor another person, or in memory of a family member or friend. Businesses and organizations can participate, too, making contributions in the names of their employees or members.

There are multiple ways to contribute to the Community Christmas Card.

To make a donation online, visit aikenstandard.com/donate. Readers will have the option to add additional names per $1 donated to be included on the Community Christmas Card as the transaction is completed in the payment portal.

To donate by mail, please write legibly the names to sign on the Community Christmas Card and send at least $1 per name. Make checks payable to the Aiken Standard. The Aiken Standard's mailing address is 326 Rutland Drive, Aiken, S.C. 29801.

Readers can also donate with a phone call. Call the Aiken Standard office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 803-648-2311 to put the donation on your debit or credit card.

The deadline to contribute is 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17.

The Aiken Standard's Community Christmas Card is an inexpensive way for the whole family, area residents and local businesses to give a gift that will keep giving after the holidays.