Donations accepted for programs
By Kathy Thomson
The local Toys for Tots program is still accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys and monetary donations at various donations sites around Albany, and a Believe Tree for Teens, containing ornaments with an attached wish tag for older students was placed at five participating churches on Sunday.
All 40 of the senior adults currently signed up for the Vittles By Vehicle program have been adopted, and plans are well underway for Albany Ministerial Alliance’s Basket delivery.
Believe Trees
“Believe Trees,” similar to the Angel Trees used in many communities, have been decorated with information about items that local teens are hoping to receive this Christmas.
Local school guidance counselors, -ResourceCare employees, and Alliance representatives have worked together to compile a list of Shackelford County teenagers to include in the program.
The Alliance normally helps to provide gifts for 35 to 40 junior high and high school students in Shackelford County. This year, 45 teens are included on the Believe Trees.
The name of each teen was blacked out before their wish list was applied to an ornament.
Believe Trees, decorated with several ornaments, were divided out among participating local churches including First Baptist, Friendship Baptist, First Christian, Matthews Memorial Presbyterian, and Church of Christ.
Participants could select an ornament, look over the wish list, and then go and shop for their student.
“Gifts are due back, unwrapped, with gift receipts if possible, to The Feed Store by Dec. 10 in order to be wrapped, have the names applied, and be ready for delivery on Wednesday, Dec. 18,” said Tisha Wilkins, who is helping organize the event.
Those wishing to make contributions to the gift program can send a check with the memo notation “Teen Gifts” to Resource Care Center at PO Box 2435, Albany TX 76430.
Parents should pick up their child’s gifts at The Feed Store on the afternoon of Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Toys for Tots
Marine SSgt. Doug Beaty coordinates the local Toys for Tots campaign, which provides gifts to children ages newborn to sixth grade.
Those who still want to donate can put money into collection boxes at Prairie Star and Vintage Vanilla, or drop off new toys and gift wrap paper at the donation boxes at Albany High School, Resource Center, and Dollar General.
“All of the toys and funds collected in the Albany area are used for the children of Albany and Moran,” said Beaty. “Donated toys are sorted by appropriate age and gender. Then we use the donated money to purchase additional gifts as needed.”
Parents who applied for Toys for Tots need to remember to pick up their toys at the Youth Center on Tuesday or Wednesday, Dec. 17-18 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Last year Toys for Tots, working with the Resource Center, provided gifts for 84 local children.
Adopt A Senior
There are 40 senior adults currently signed up for the Vittles By Vehicle program, and the Resource Center sponsors an Adopt a Senior program to make sure that each one receives something for Christmas.
All 40 have already been adopted.
“Many of the seniors we serve have no family living nearby to help with things we take for granted,” said program director Mindy Ary. “This program enables the community to reach out and make their holidays a whole lot brighter.”
Gifts for the seniors should be returned to ResourceCare by Friday, Dec. 13 so they can be wrapped and delivered with the Vittles by Vehicle meals on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
“Since all of our seniors were claimed so quickly, we’re inviting anyone else who wants to help to contribute a poinsettia,” said Riley. “Neighbors Home and Gardens has poinsettias for $15 each. Ideally we’ll be able to send one to each of the 29 households that we serve with Vittles by Vehicles.”
To contribute, call 325-762-2447 ext. 101.
Christmas Baskets
This Friday, Dec. 6, is the deadline to apply for the Albany Ministerial Alliance’s Christmas Baskets.
Applications are available at ResourceCare and at many local churches.
The completed forms should be turned back in by tomorrow, Dec. 6.
Donations for the holiday meals can be handed to any ministers in the Alliance or mailed to PO Box 3084, Albany, Texas 76430.
Additional Needs
“We know of some families that could be adopted this Christmas season, if anyone would like to go above and beyond,” said ResourceCare program assistant Ragan Riley. “We could use gift cards to Brookshire’s for those in need of purchasing food. We would also like anyone who is able to do so to donate non-perishable food items that we can distribute this Christmas season.”
