Various holiday programs benefit county residents
By Sandy Morris
The holiday season is here, and there are several opportunities to help others in the community.
Special Gift Drive
The Wallace Insurance Agency of Breckenridge is hosting a Christmas gift drive for local students in Albany and Breckenridge.
“We are calling it a ‘gift drive’ because the students need more than just toys,” said Jessica Holmes, gift drive chairperson. “Any kind of donation will be accepted – cash, gift cards, new unwrapped toys, new shoes, gloves, and hats.”
The group is hoping to help students of all ages, but is working closely with the counselor at Nancy Smith Elementary School.
No application is necessary and families are welcome to contact -Holmes at 254-559-5477 for assistance or to suggest a family in need.
The dropoff location in Albany is located at the Albany Chamber of Commerce office with a Dec. 18 deadline to turn in all gifts.
The agency will then be working to set up distribution times in both towns.
Toys for Tots
Marine S.Sgt. Doug Beaty coordinates the local Toys for Tots campaign, which provides gifts for Albany children ages zero to 11, working through the Resource Center.
Those in need of assistance may pick up an application at the Resource Care front desk, located at 725 Pate Street.
The deadline to return applications is Tuesday, Dec. 1.
Donation boxes for new unwrapped toys are located at Albany Junior/Senior High School and Dollar General or may be taken to ResourceCare.
Each child selected to be a recipient of Toys for Tots receives four toys plus stocking stuffers.
Beaty also plans to have a jar set out for monetary donations at Prairie Star.
“The great thing about making a monetary donation in the form of a check is that the donor will get a receipt back from Toys for Tots that can be used as a tax deduction for a charitable contribution,” said Beaty. “We can’t do that with a cash donation, so if you would like a receipt for your taxes, you can write a check to Toys for Tots and leave in the jar.”
Beaty uses donations to purchase any needed items that aren’t received in the boxes.
Beaty also states he has great vendors he works with who help him to stretch his money a long way, in many times allowing him to order at cost.
Beaty invites any businesses wanting to join in the campaign by hosting a donation box or making a contribution to contact him at 254-212-9684.
NSES Food Drive
The students at Nancy Smith Elementary School finished their recent “Battle of the Classes Canned Food Drive.”
The students donated a total of 515 cans of food that will be donated to the senior citizens of Shackelford County through the Resource Center.
The first grade classes taught by Mrs. Raymond and Mrs. Warren were the winners with the largest number of donations, earning themselves the prize of a popcorn party.
