At a time when there is so much gloom and despondency about - not least in respect of the financial crisis - it is instructive and heartening to witness the many acts of kindness and generosity that abound within the Dunedin and Otago community.
Perhaps the most evident of these is seen in the successful campaign to save services at the Otago Community Hospice, which were to have ceased in the face of substantial funding shortfalls.
The Otago Daily Times takes credit only as a catalyst in both publicising the plight of the hospice and mobilising a campaign.
The real credit belongs to those businesses, charities, organisations and individuals who have responded so generously and contributed almost $323,000 to that campaign, which will now ensure that services such as the day hospice will be reinstated.
It is also a measure of the esteem in which this organisation - and the difficult and sensitive work it carries out so tirelessly - is held by the wider community.
Caring for those who are terminally ill, easing their pain, and making their final weeks and days comfortable and meaningful is the work of angels.
Anyone who has lost a close relative or friend in such circumstances cannot help but be moved by the grace and practical fortitude of those involved in the hospice movement.
Many of those who become involved do so on a voluntary basis, so to an extent it is an organisation built on good will - a seemingly contagious quality. In July this year, the hospice was facing a $300,000 deficit for the financial year and a $500,000 shortfall for the next year.
In a bid to save costs, the hospice closed four of its 12 in-patient beds and day respite-care services.
Contributions from charitable organisations and fundraising events saw $200,000 recouped, enough to allow the beds to reopen, but not enough to overcome the hospice's funding shortfall.
The Otago Daily Times stepped in with its "Help the Hospice" campaign which in the course of eight weeks saw the initial target of $200,000 eclipsed, with a total today standing at almost $323,000.
Hospice chief executive Ginny Green relayed the gratitude of the organisation: "We look forward to 2009 with a new sense of security, thanks to the marvellous people of Otago," she said, adding that the generosity of the community had left the hospice and its staff "slightly shell-shocked".
The hospice is not entirely out of the woods.
Total annual operating costs are at $3 million, with the hospice itself having to raise $1.3 million and, despite the pledge of the new Government to raise hospice funding from 58% of budget to about 70%, there will always be funds to be raised.
But few causes are quite as worthy and the citizens of Dunedin and Otago are to be congratulated on the way they repeatedly respond so generously.
So, too, are all those involved in the free operations carried out at Mercy Hospital in Dunedin on Monday this week - in particular the two ear nose and throat consultant surgeons, Martyn Fields and Dean Rusk, upon whose initiative the 35 free grommet, adenoid and tonsil operations were conducted.
Their intervention, made possible through the Mercy Hospital Charitable Outreach programme, the time of four anaesthetists and two registrars, and the hospital itself which provided the theatres, equipment and support staff free of charge, cleared about one-third of the waiting lists for such operations.
Importantly, it also brought much-needed cheer and relief to a number of young patients.
As the mother of one of the children said, "It is the best Christmas present we could get."
Such efforts are also an indication that the spirit of the season - of hope and of giving, of selflessness and celebration - is alive and well in the province.
Long may it continue.
