The holiday season seems to bring out the best in people, and businesses are no exception. Throughout the Harrisburg area, businesses are giving back to the communities that support them.

As we approach the end of the calendar year, we are accustomed to seeing the iconic Salvation Army red kettles stationed at businesses throughout the region.  This year, local businesses are becoming even more involved in raising money for this charitable group. The Salvation Army of the Harrisburg Capital City Region created a competition among local businesses as a way raise awareness and funds.

According to the Battle of the Bells website, as of Dec. 12, the Woods at Cedar Run (Independent/Senior Living) is in the lead with just over $1,500 raised while the Radisson Hotel Harrisburg, Priority Systems, Bryn Mawr Trust Wealth Management -Hershey Division and Gift & Associates round out the top five. I applaud all of these businesses for their ongoing efforts to support this worthy cause.

In another showing of community support, the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors raised over $22,000 and purchased 725 turkeys and gift cards to be distributed to local families in need, prior to Thanksgiving.  For the past 25 years, the association has donated both food and money to help feed the community. However, even as the economic downturn has hit the country harder, the total number helped rose by nearly 100 to 9,069 families.

These are just two examples of how local businesses are giving back to the community. Stay tuned next week as we talk about the Bethesda Mission and some major changes it has in store.