You see the stories on the television, online and in the papers. They always make you cringe.

A little girl brutally raped by her mother’s boyfriend.

A dog dragged for miles behind a truck until half-dead.

Children and animals: two of the most vulnerable segments of our population.

They depend on the kindness and compassion of others who are older, stronger and wiser, to protect, guide and love them.

As the headlines show, all too often we fail to do so.

Sometimes we think our singular efforts will make little difference.

That’s why it’s so heartening to experience recent events like the Safe Harbor Tasters’ Dinner for the Children’s Advocacy Center and the Butler County Humane Society Auction.

Many people contributed to make these events a success.

For the Safe Harbor fundraiser, they used their cooking skills to make delicious dishes, their creativity to craft gorgeous pumpkins; showed hospitality as they served food and refilled glasses, displayed generosity as they bid on silent auction items. A number of tri-county businesses and individuals also donated items for door prizes and the silent auction.

All of it was done to make the difference in the life of a child – a child who has witnessed violence in his home, who has suffered at the hands of an abuser. The event said, “We see you, my child and we do care.”

The community emptied cupboards, closets, bookshelves and barns to offer an amazing variety of items for the BCHS Live Auction on Saturday.

The young members of the Greenville Middle School Builders Club showed volunteerism isn’t just for grownups.

They provided lots of legwork in getting auction items sold and stored.

The young people also gave plenty of TLC to the adoptable puppies and kittens on display at the event.

It was an all-around win-win situation: a lot of folks were able to get rid of some of their clutter, while others claimed wonderful bargains.

Some of those adorable pets being “oohed” and “aaahed” over also found new homes.

Best of all, the funds raised will be used for an auxiliary shelter for the county – one where the adoptable animals accepted there will never be “put down.”

In this life, each of us has to give what we can, when we can, to make a positive difference in our community.

God bless so many of you for doing just that and helping one less animal, one less child to suffer.