Don't let the reviving Silicon Valley economy lull you into thinking that there isn't a continuing divide, even in the affluent Palo Alto area, between those riding high and the many families living on the edge and needing a bit of help.

Children are too often the innocent victims of economic hard times, and we are lucky to have so many well-run nonprofit organizations that are serving their needs.

The Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund, now in its 20th year, provides everyone in our community the opportunity to make a donation and know that it will be combined with hundreds of others and dispersed to approximately 50 carefully vetted local agencies, mostly in Palo Alto and East Palo Alto.

There are two important reasons why giving to the Holiday Fund uniquely leverages your donation: First, every dollar raised is given away (in the form of grants to nonprofits that apply,) and the Weekly and Silicon Valley Community Foundation underwrite all the expenses. So none of your money goes to any administrative costs.

And second, thanks to the support of the Packard, Hewlett, Arrillaga and Peery foundations and a Palo Alto family that wishes to remain anonymous, any donation you make is doubled in size. So if you give $100, the Holiday Fund is able to grant $200 to a worthwhile program serving children and families in our area.

Over the next six weeks, we'll be asking for your donations of any amount and publishing the names of those who contribute to help inspire others to give and be publicly thanked.

The list of organizations the Holiday Fund supported this last year are listed in the ad on page 19, but they include groups in Palo Alto and East Palo Alto that are providing counseling, tutoring, mentoring, reading programs, environmental education, health services, child care, food, shelter, music, art and science curriculum, and much more.

We have a deep commitment to community service and to supporting the work of nonprofits that are working hard to support those who need it, and we hope you will join us in this cause.

Whether you give $25 or $25,000, it is a powerful statement when hundreds of local people unite around a common philanthropic objective and combine their giving to raise $350,000 or more to give back to the community.

Giving is easy, and it's fully tax-deductible. Either go online to PaloAltoOnline.com/holiday_fund or use the coupon below. Along with the thousands of kids and families that ultimately benefit from your gift, we are grateful for your help.