The giving spirit has been in no short supply this holiday season. But just because Christmas is here doesn’t mean that has to stop.

Some of the biggest local drives continue for several weeks. The Salvation Army’s kettle drive rang for its final time in 2014 on Christmas Eve, but mail-in donations can be sent through Jan. 31, 2015. As of Wednesday afternoon, the drive had raised $104,000 to close in on the $125,000 goal.

The United Way of Mower County’s campaign has topped the $900,000 mark in working to raise funds toward a $1.1 million goal. Though the largest donations have already come in — Quality Pork Processors employees pledged $143,362, Hormel Foods Corp. plant employees pledged $150,895 and Hormel corporate pledged $275,900. Even with large donations, Executive Director Diane Baker said all donations large and small come together to attain the goal.

“It’s all the little ones, because every dollar adds up and it all counts,” Baker said earlier this month.

The United Way drive peaks during the holiday season, but it lasts well into next year.

We commend all the people and organizations that gave to charitable causes during the holiday season.

To name a few:

• KAUS Radio, Hy-Vee and several sponsors divvied out more than 700 meals to area families.

• Southland High School and Pacelli Catholic Schools students bought Christmas toys for area children, and many other toys came in through Toys for Tots and the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree drive.

• Donnella Hastings bought food and supplies Tuesday for the Mower County Humane Society in honor of her mother, Elizabeth Perzynski, who passed away in November.

• The Austin Shriners Club donated $4,100 to to the Salvation Army. That total was matched by the Minnesota Masonic Charities to make $8,200

Many more groups, people and organizations gave back this holiday season — too many to name them all. We commend everyone for giving back this holiday season.

If you haven’t given already, there’s always a chance to give back.