Newsroom manager and books page editor Nona Nelson is back again with a Good Neighbors update:

The annual Good Neighbors Fund drive is drawing to a close. While The Roanoke Times will still be accepting donations (year round!), the daily lists and the stories of the people helped by Roanoke Area Ministries’ Emergency Financial Assistance Program have ended until next holiday season.

There will be a couple of wrap-up stories in the newspaper in mid-January and early February — a chance to print the rest of the donor names and to update the total collected.

As of New Year’s Eve, the total stood at $140,847.15. That’s an amazing amount of generosity from individuals, families, groups and businesses. That money will go a long way to help people stay in their homes, pay utility bills and buy needed prescriptions.

The goal for this year’s campaign was $175,000, and we are still hoping to make that total before we run the last story on Feb. 6.

Besides regular stories and donor names printed in the newspaper, we tried to get the word out by suggesting creative ways to contribute — and through Facebook especially, urging groups and businesses who donate to send us photos. Thanks to the Thursday Lunch Club and Magic City Ford Lincoln for sharing your stories — and your annual contributions.

Any suggestions on what we can do better, and how we can use social media to help raise awareness of the campaign, would be appreciated.

For all those who donated (and who still plan to donate by clicking this link), thank you! You are making a real difference in the lives of people in your community.