Well, 2021 is on the horizon, and there’s no denying it anymore: 2020 was not the year any of us expected it to be, and we’re not quite out of the woods yet. With the first half of 2021 not looking to be much different from the past year, this holiday season is feeling a little strange, to say the least.

This year, many around the world will be unable to see loved ones the way they usually do for the holidays, and some will find themselves entirely alone on days that are historically spent with others.

Still, there are ways to find joy as this year comes to a close—and one of those ways is to help others in need. COVID-19 has brought inequality to the forefront of our national—and international—conversation in a way like never before. Throughout the year, optical companies and independent ECPs have stepped up to provide PPE to the frontlines, elevate Black voices across the board, help people register to vote, support struggling small businesses, and give back to their communities as a whole. This month, we cover some of these initiatives in our cover story, starting on Page 50.

As we wrap up one tempestuous year for the history books and head into what is sure to be another, December feels like the perfect time to take stock of the effect we’ve all had on our communities this year, and to give back if we feel so compelled. This year’s holiday season may seem strange—but we should take comfort in the fact that we can make joy where we can’t find it.

gplummer@jobson.com