One of the Ohio Valley’s best holiday traditions returns to the Ohio Valley Mall on Saturday, and, as always, it can use residents’ help.

“Operation Toy Lift” will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the mall near Ulta Beauty and Ferguson’s House of Furniture. As is the case every year, local celebrities will be hoisted into the sky over the mall via lift to make shoppers aware of the event.

Folks can stop by the lift to drop off a new toy for a child anywhere from infant to teen. A parade around the mall kicks things off at 9:30 a.m. and financial donations also are welcome.

A collaboration between the Wheeling Police Department and the Belmont County Sheriff’s Department, “Operation Toy Lift” serves as a great way for the people of the valley to lend a hand to those less fortunate. There’s nothing like the joy on a child’s face when they wake up Christmas morning to a cherished toy under the tree. There’s not much worse than the thought of Ohio Valley children not getting to experience that.

So grab a toy, drop it off and give a wave to the person high in the sky beckoning others to come over. No one — no child, especially — should go without some holiday cheer this month. A quick stop and a simple gesture could make a world of difference to a child.