Programs get underway

By Sam Waller

Plans are gearing up to collect applications and funding for a number of local holiday programs, ranging from those providing for children through senior adults.

ResourceCare works hand in hand with Toys for Tots, asking community members to help them provide holiday presents to all of the local children.

The facility also coordinates the Adopt A Senior project, which is already well underway.

Information and applications are available at ResourceCare and other locations.

Applications for holiday programs handled by the Albany Ministerial Alliance and The Feed Store, including the Christmas Basket Ministry and Believe Tree for Teens, are available at local churches and The Albany News, according to Alliance secretary Tisha Wilkins.

The filled-out applications can be turned back in at the same locations.

Toys for Tots

Marine SSgt. Doug Beaty coordinates the local Toys for Tots campaign, which provides gifts for Albany children from infants to 11 years old, working through the Resource Center.

Those in need of assistance from the program should turn in a completed application to Resource Care before the deadline 5:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, according to Riley.

ResourceCare provides Beaty with the ages and genders of children registered for the program.

The toys will be available for parents to pick up Thursday, Dec. 16 at the Youth Center.

Believe Tree

For Teens

Feed Store, working with ResourceCare, accepts donations for Believe Tree for Teens, which provides gifts for approximately 40 junior high and high school students in Shackelford County each year.

The teens can be enrolled in the program by either their parents or by a school counselor. The deadline for Believe Tree for Teens applications is Monday, Nov. 29.

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

All senior citizens registered for the program – approximately 40 – have been adopted and picked up at ResourceCare. Gifts, which should be unwrapped, are due to ResourceCare by Friday, Dec. 3, so they can be wrapped.

Gifts will be delivered with the Vittles by Vehicle meals on Wednesday, Dec. 15.

Christmas Baskets

The annual food drive, sponsored by the Albany Ministerial Alliance, strives to provide a box filled with the ingredients needed for a traditional holiday meal to families in need of assistance.

Applications, which are available at local churches and The Albany News, are due Monday, Nov. 29. Food will be ordered Tuesdasy, Nov. 30.

Albany High School agriculture students will pick up nonperishable food from Brookshire’s and deliver it to The Feed Store on Dec. 13.

Baskets will be distributed on Sunday, Dec. 19. ResourceCare will deliver baskets to all Vittles by Vehicle recipients who are signed up for a basket.

Donations for the holiday meals can be handed to any ministers in the Alliance or mailed to the Ministerial Alliance at PO Box 3084, Albany, Texas 76430.

Additional Needs

Riley said Resource Care still needs donations for all its Christmas outreach programs. Items sought include blankets, hygiene products (toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, toilet paper, shampoo, etc.), and paper products (paper plates, plastic cups, plasticware, paper towels, etc.).

“Monetary donations are also welcomed,” Riley said.

Pie Sales

ResourceCare is taking orders for Thanksgiving pies to benefit its Christmas outreach programs.

Pies are $20 each. Choices are pumpkin, pecan or buttermilk. Pies will be packaged in a box, wrapped with a bow and tagged.

Deadline to order is Nov. 16 with orders to be ready on Nov. 24.

To order, call Resource Care at 325-762-2447 or contact Ragan Riley or Mindy Ary on Facebook.