For many of us, the clock is ticking on our countdown to Christmas.

Maybe you've got a few last-minute gifts to buy or wrap. Maybe Santa has a few more stops to make. Maybe you've got some major grocery shopping to do to prepare for your guests. Or maybe you've got to prepare for traveling over the river and through the woods.

Regardless, the Salvation Army of Milwaukee County has a more urgent Christmas countdown, and the good folks there could use your help.

With only four days left before the Red Kettles retire until next Christmas, the local Salvation Army is still $1.3 million behind in it's $2.7 million goal.

"We're thankful for the donations we have received to date. Reaching our Red Kettle Christmas goal is critical to providing much-needed shelter for the homeless, food for the hungry and Christmas assistance for families in great need," said Major Roger Ross, Salvation Army Milwaukee County Commander.

The Salvation Army operates 84 seasonal and year-round programs and services to families living in Milwaukee County.

In 2010, the Salvation Army provided:

• 132,439 meals to homeless individuals and families
• 66,813 nights of lodging to homeless individuals
• 96,572 toys to children of low-income and unemployed families

This year, the Salvation Army is prepared to provide more than 100,000 toys this Christmas to area children.

Donations can be made at Red Kettles through Christmas Eve, by texting 'Give' to 80888 to make a $10 donation or by visiting SAmilwaukee.org to make a donation with your smart phone or online.

I'm also hearing the local food pantries could use an extra boost to meet the urgent needs out there. If you can spare some talent or treasure, they could sure use the help.

 

While I'm at it, I'd like to take care of a couple of Christmas errands of my own. In the past couple of years, I have passed along some of the best holiday videos produced by Milwaukee public relations/advertising/marketing companies.

This year, through the Twittersphere, Matt Waller at Laughlin Constable in Milwaukee provided this video.

Priya Barnes of Creatonomy in Milwaukee sent along this video.

Andy Larsen and the folks at Boelter Lincoln put this video together.

Marilyn, Phil and Jessica Vollrath, along with their staff, show off their ugly Christmas sweaters here.

Bruce Gibb and Rich Schmig at Plum Moving Media in Milwaukee get a silver star for bringing their crew to life in this one.

But the winner - hands down – (even though the shower scene is about five seconds too long) has to be Ward Alles, Beth Crivello, Dana Carpenter, Colin Deval and the rest of the team at Core Creative, as they introduce a new product into the market here.

As a bonus, I'm tossing in this Christmas video by Marquette University's Gold 'n Blues a cappella group singing "Oh Holy Night." You can listen for free, and if you download the songs on iTunes, all proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Miilwaukee.

Merry Christmas.