A scene from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” has haunted readers through the ages. After showing Scrooge moments of gaiety and family love, the Ghost of Christmas Present lifts his robe to reveal two ragged, scrawny children hiding beneath it.

“They are Man’s,” said the Spirit, looking down upon them. “And they cling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree; but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased. Deny it!” cried the Spirit, stretching out its hand towards the city. …

“Have they no refuge or resource?” cried Scrooge.

“Are there no prisons?” said the Spirit, turning on him for the last time with his own words. “Are there no workhouses?”

As Christmas and the New Year approach, people blessed with good fortune and compassion pull out their checkbooks to make donations. They could empty their accounts and not meet all the need  in our area.

Here is a simple request: Remember the children. Child poverty has climbed in this community in recent years, from 6,875 children in poverty in 2008 to 8,500 in 2012, according to the Kids Count survey. Fortunately, we have a wealth of programs to help them, from Communities in Schools and Crosby Scholars to Rowan Public Library and the YMCA, and all deserve support to treat the long term consequences of poverty — ignorance and want.

In the short term, the Salvation Army and the Post’s Christmas Happiness fund are trying to ensure that families in need can at least provide their children a small gift at Christmas. A surge in requests for help has prompted the Salvation Army to put out a last-minute plea for toys for boys age 10 and above, as well as clothing — hats, gloves, scarves, underwear and socks. New and unwrapped items can be dropped off early this week at the Salvation Army’s office, 620 Bringle Ferry Road,  open from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m.

Contributions to the Christmas Happiness Fund will be accepted through Christmas Eve at the Post, 131 W. Innes St. So far the fund has received $41,149, about $7,500 behind the $48,684 received as of Dec. 20 last year.

The late Spencer Murphy, then editor of the Post, started Christmas Happiness in 1952 after learning that, for many children in Rowan County, Christmas would be no different from any other day. Including them in the spirit of the season is one small way to give them hope — hope of a better future and a life free from ignorance and want.