What a memorable year it's been so far at "the Patch." From launching this site in the dead of winter — Feb. 21 this year — to where we are now, I've written myriad stories that will stick with me long after they're tucked away in my portfolio.

When running around the township's 31 square miles, "You're everywhere!" is still a popular greeting for yours truly, right after "Tim!" The residents make it easy to feel thankful.

Whether it's a government official willing to take the extra five minutes during election night to spell out something I don't immediately understand, or a store owner nice enough to offer coffee on a cold, rainy morning, or an athlete willing to offer precious quotes after a bitter defeat, people make the work worth it.

I'm also thankful that people in West Bloomfield are cognizant of the fact that not everyone is as fortunate as we are. My most rewarding assignments are covering the work of volunteers, including Novi High School student Laura Nance at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, Farmington Hills Harrison student Rachel Hollander at Friendship Circle and Orchard Lake St. Mary's student Paul Kuligowski at the nonprofit organization Acts of Kindness.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Patch will be working to make it easier for you to give back.

For the next 30 days – every day until Christmas Eve – Patch will bring you great ways to help spread holiday cheer past your front porch and help people and organizations across the area. There are hundreds of supportive nonprofit groups in Oakland County with heartwarming missions; we hope one – or several – will strike a chord with Patch readers. We hope you'll take part in this 30 Days of Giving and take the spirit beyond the holidays, because there is need all year long. 

Coming tomorrow: Help spread holiday cheer by donating a new, unwrapped toy to Toys for Tots.

Do you have a cause you'd like us to write about? Please let us know in comments or email me at tim.rath@patch.com.