Donations needed for local Christmas programs
By Kathy Thomson
The local Toys for Tots annual fund drive is underway, and members of Albany High School’s National Honor Society joined coordinator Marine SSgt. Doug Beaty to prepare and serve the annual fundraising luncheon on Sunday, Nov. 24, at the Youth Center.
“There was a very large group of honor society students this year,” said Beaty. “It was neat seeing that many really bright kids.”
Beaty fixed four briskets, around 40 pounds of chicken, and some sausage, while the Albany NHS students supplied the side dishes and desserts for the fundraiser.
Beaty said he thinks the meal was a success.
“It went very well,” said Beaty. “We raised $769. We didn’t have a big turnout, but those who came were very generous!”
The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during November and December each year and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.
The barbecue meal is the local program’s main money raiser, but donations of toys and money are also collected at AHS and various Albany businesses.
“Big toy collection boxes are at the high school and Dollar General,” Beaty said. “Money collection containers are at Vintage Vanilla and Prairie Star. So even if you couldn’t attend the meal, you can still contribute to Toys for Tots,” Beaty said.
Other businesses that want to join in the campaign can call Beaty at 254-212-9684, and he will bring them a donation box.
“Donated toys are sorted by appropriate age and gender,” Beaty said. “Then we use the donated money to purchase additional gifts.”
Beaty is already using the recent monetary contributions.
“I just ordered another $1,000 in toys,” he said. “This year I’m really short on girls’ toys, and we could sure use some more. We could also use donations of toys for boys over eight years of age.”
The local program works through the Resource Center to provide gifts to underprivileged Shackelford County children ages zero to 11. Last year Toys for Tots provided gifts for 84 Albany children.
“All of the money raised in Albany is used in Albany,” Beaty added.
Applications For Toys
Application forms for Toys for Tots are available at the front desk of the Resource Center for those in need of assistance from the program. The completed applications must be turned in to ResourceCare by Monday, Dec. 2.
Beaty is given the wish list early in December, so he has time to go through the list and purchase toys as needed. The toys will be available for parents to pick up at the Youth Center on Tuesday, Dec. 17, and Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Christmas For Teens
The Albany Ministerial Alliance works to help provide gifts for approximately 35 to 40 junior high and high school students in Shackelford County each year.
Applications for the “Believe Tree for Teens” were due last Friday, Nov. 22.
This week The Feed Store executive director Tisha Wilkins is making sure that those wish lists will be available to community members.
Each information sheet will have the name of the teen blacked out before it is applied to an ornament. The ornament is then attached to a small tree. The “Believe Trees,” each decorated with several of the ornaments, will be divided out among the participating local churches this week.
Church members can select an ornament on Sunday, Dec. 1, and then go and shop for their student.
“Gifts are due back, unwrapped, 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 Wilkins.
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.
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 of the seniors receives something for Christmas.
Sponsors typically supply their adopted senior with practical gifts such as cleaning supplies, bed sheets, and towels. The seniors each fill out a wish list in November, so the sponsors can meet their particular needs.
“We had a great response this year,” said program assistant Ragan Riley.
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 to Adopt a Senior, call Riley at 325-762-2447 ext. 101.
Christmas Baskets
Christmas Basket applications are available at ResourceCare and at many local churches.
The completed forms should be turned back in before the deadline on Friday, Dec. 6.
The annual food drive is sponsored by the Albany Ministerial Alliance and strives to provide a box filled with the ingredients needed for a traditional holiday meal to families in need of assistance.
Donations for the holiday meals can be handed to any of the ministers in the Alliance or mailed to the Ministerial Alliance at 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 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 to those in need this Christmas season.”
