The Farmville community is obviously a generous one. On a weekly basis, The Herald prints items promoting organizations or individuals in need of help.

Providing help for the helpless is a common thread throughout recorded history.

Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus told His followers to help “the least of these.” Even earlier, Euripides stated, “Love is all we have, the only way that each can help the other.”

Providing that help need not be limited to human interaction. For many years dogs have been trained as guide dogs, therapy animals or service dogs. A local veteran with PTSD noted the importance of her service dog. “She taught me to live again,” the veteran said.

Locally, the Southside SPCA is in the business of making human-animal connections. Last year the SPCA noted an impressive statistic — almost every animal received was placed in a home of its own.

Making home life better is a goal of another local agency, Piedmont Senior Resources (PSR). Through no fault of their own, many aging residents fall into the category of “the least of these.”

“These are the people that become invisible,” PSR Executive Director Justine Young said. “They work hard all their lives, but as they get older and medical needs increase, they easily fall off the map.”

On Sept. 16, our community has the chance to help both the Southside SPCA and Piedmont Senior Resources through The Amazing Raise, an online giving event. PSR will be at Charley’s that day from 4 to 6 p.m., and the SPCA will be at the Farmville Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Volunteers at both locations will be on hand with computers to assist in making donations.

We believe both organizations deserve community support. Let’s give them a raise — an Amazing Raise!