While plenty of well-known national charities are out in full force during the holidays, delivering meals and gifts around the country, other smaller local organizations also are offering loads of creative Christmas cheer in their communities.

From a family who used their own a tragedy to fund research and inspire others, to police officers who take needy children shopping, here are six examples of people doing some fine and worthy things this season.

1: Biker Benevolence
In Fairfax, Virginia, motorcycle enthusiasts can drop by from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dec. 12 to take a photo with Santa on the Patriot Harley-Davidson sleigh, with 100 percent of all proceeds going to support the Semper Fi Fund.

The event is part of the community-minded spirit of the large motorcycle dealership, located near Washington, D.C., in the Northern Virginia suburbs.

The Semper Fi Fund is a worthy cause. The nonprofit charity, founded in 2004, offers financial aid, as well as lifetime support, to wounded and critically ill veterans and their families from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

2: Santa Makes Hospital Stops, Too
In Akron, Ohio, Megan Stevens is the behind-the-scenes Secret Santa for sick little ones at the Akron Children’s Hospital. She founded the Brighten Up for the Kids Toy Drive, collecting books and toys for youngsters who are hospitalized on Christmas Day. Local television station WYTV dubbed Stevens one of its “hometown heroes.”

Now, no child will wake up without a gift. The event is in its sixth year and growing. Last year, Akron area residents donated more than 2,000 toys and books. This year, the gift drive will continue until Dec. 22 at Stevens’ family business, Youngstown Cycle and Supply.

In 2014, she saw firsthand the bounty of her goodwill. Her own son was in the emergency room on Christmas Eve and received his own toy, a comforting stuffed bear. So he understands the need to pay it forward, she added.

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“We’re helping out Santa, as my son would tell you,” Stevens told WYTV. “We’re helping him out so he can do other things, and we’re doing the work for the hospital.”

3: League Sponsors Christmas Morning Deliveries
In Elmira, New York, an area that has seen economic struggles, the Arctic League has been the backstop for families hoping to provide their children with holiday cheer. Its mission is dedicated to ensuring “that no child in Chemung County goes without gifts on Christmas.”

The nonprofit takes requests from families, making certain it has purchased, wrapped and delivered proper gifts for young residents who otherwise might not have a good holiday. Last year, the group raised $127,347, allowing it to offer gifts to 1,657 families and 3,506 children — all delivered with the help of community volunteers on Christmas morning, the Steuben Courier reported.

All donors’ names are entered into the Arctic League’s famed Big Book. It tracks the group’s storied history and longevity in the community. They’ve been helping Santa in Elmira for 104 years.

4: Channeling a Tragedy into Good
The Lackey family of Sayre, Pennsylvania, lost their 9-month-old son, Carter James, a year and a half ago to a mitochondrial disorder called Leigh’s Disease. But they rallied to turn their tragedy into something good, holding a Christmas festival to raise money for research and to collect community gifts for children who were hospitalized during the holidays.

Their second annual Carter’s Christmas event was held last Saturday at the Sayre Elks Banquet Hall, TV station WEMT reported. It featured photos with Santa, a raffle, bake sale, auction and 40 vendors — all aimed at keeping Carter’s memory alive.

“We were just hoping that somewhere down the road, we could help some other family so they wouldn’t have to go through this,” Carter’s father James Lackey told WEMT of their fundraising effort, directed at the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.

The family is collecting toys that will be given as Christmas presents for children and families at their local Ronald McDonald House. Gifts will also be distributed to children who are hospitalized over Christmas at Janet Weis Children’s Hospital at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania.

5: Canine Christmas Love
In Missouri, the boating community is rallying throughout December for its annual Deck the Docks event to support the Dogwood Animal Shelter.

Patrons buy tickets for $25 and take cruises three nights a week from Nov. 27 to Dec. 30 on the Lake of the Ozarks. The brightly decorated Celebration Cruises ship features live entertainment and appetizers donated by the community. Along the way, cruisegoers are treated to a festive light display from homes along the shoreline.

The “bark-tastic” event was started five years ago by Dave Holtz, founder of Dock Realty in Lake Ozark, Missour. This dog lover learned from friends about the local no-kill shelter and created an event to support its pet adoption efforts.

6: Honorable Holiday Officers
In Kentucky, members of the State Police have rallied to sponsor two events to help needy residents, many hard-hit by the demise of the state’s coal mining industry over the past few years.

One is the agency’s “Shop With A Trooper” program. It pairs disadvantaged children with law enforcement officers to go on a Christmas shopping spree. Residents and supporters purchase $5 bracelets to raise money for the event that helps not only families but the State Police build relationships with area youth.

The Kentucky State Police are also holding “Cram the Cruiser” events at 16 outposts around the state, taking donations of nonperishable food and money to help feed needy families. The State Police Bluegrass Station collected more than 232,000 pounds of food last year.

“Service to those in need goes hand-in-hand with our law enforcement mission,” KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer said of the events. “It’s a way to repay the local communities that support us throughout the year.”