It's Christmas — the season for giving. And in these difficult economic times, never has the need been so great. Layoffs, cutbacks and downsizing have created a climate of uncertainty.

But what is certain is the spirit of aloha that always seems to carry us through in our most difficult times. Whether it's a natural disaster or this bleak economic storm, our cultural values of caring for one another — for doing what we can to help our neighbors in need — always manages to come through.

That's underscored in a recent survey compiled for the Hawai'i Community Foundation that found that 92 percent of folks in Hawai'i continue to give to nonprofits, despite the economic downturn.

There are all sorts of ways to give. If not cash donations, then through your time and talents — volunteering will go a long way to help our nonprofits that could surely use a hand.

Tapping into neighborhood churches and community centers is a good place to start. Or follow your passion and seek out organizations that have missions of service in sync with your values. The Aloha United Way's volunteer Web site at volunteerhawaii.org also offers a healthy list of service options.

Nonprofit leaders are also hoping that holiday volunteers will opt to forge longer-term relationships to meet the growing year-round need. That's a goal we can all support.

The Advertiser's annual Christmas Fund, which connects donations from readers with those in need through the nonprofit clearinghouse Helping Hands Hawai'i, is another option. So far, dozens of readers collectively contributed more than $119,000 to the fund.

And there's still time to give. Donations will be accepted through Jan. 2.

"Now more than ever we need to come together as a community. We're all struggling, but during the Christmas season it's so important to reach out to those who are having a hard time making ends meet," said Brian Schatz, chief executive officer of Helping Hands Hawai'i.

So this Christmas, while enjoying time with friends, family and loved ones, we hope you'll remember the less fortunate among us.

Because together, we can make a difference this holiday season to those who could really use our help.