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2020 was a difficult year filled with hardships, losses and sacrifices that were predominantly caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amid all of the hardships, local organizations worked around the clock to help members of our community cope with setbacks and find essential resources.

Today’s edition includes an update from the local Bright Futures chapter; an organization that helps make sure students and their families have their basic needs met.

Through the combined efforts of staff members from the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce and Beaufort County Schools, as well as the generosity of approximately 300 donors, Bright Futures distributed clothes, supplies and other resources all around the county last year. Community involvement is one of the most impressive parts of Bright Futures’ operations. If you look at the organization’s Facebook page, you’ll see that members of the community are always willing to make donations or offer support in order to help fill needs.

When Bright Futures gave an update to the Beaufort County Board of Education on Tuesday, it served as a reminder of the generosity we’ve seen from our community throughout the pandemic.

Here’s a sampling:  In December, Washington Police and Fire services raised approximately $10,000 to bring Christmas to local children and nursing home residents. A month before that, several nonprofits and businesses distributed free Thanksgiving meals to those in need. In November, former Northside High School standout and current NBA player Bam Adebayo donated 100 backpacks to Beaufort County Schools. In March, the school system donated a carload of personal protective equipment to Vidant Beaufort Hospital.

The list goes on and on with donations, volunteers work and other acts of service. We look forward to seeing what Beaufort County can add to it in 2021.