The season for sharing

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN BY LAURA CAMPBELL
‘Tis the season to give generously-and a number of area businesses, schools and other organizations are offering residents plenty of chances to do so by sponsoring holiday charity drives to collect money, food and other gift items for needy families in the area.

Be sure to note the deadline for dropping off donations at each of the following locations.

  • Emprise Bank, 104 E. Grand, Hillsboro, and the Hillsboro Community Medical Center have put up a Silver Angel Tree in the bank’s lobby, offering community members the chance to provide gifts for senior citizens in HCMC’s long-term care.

    Each of the paper angels on the tree lists the individual’s gender and gift suggestions.

    Gifts should be returned to the bank by Dec. 19.

    For more information, call Brenda Byrd at 947-3141.

  • Hillsboro State Bank, 200 N. Main, has put up a Christmas Giving Tree, offering area residents a chance to “fulfill the wishes of needy children in the area.”

    Each tag on the tree includes the child’s age and gender and a description of the desired gift.

    Gifts should not be wrapped and brought to the bank by Dec. 20.

    For more information, call Shelly Rooker 947-3961.

  • Marion Community Christmas has put up angel trees at several area businesses to collect gifts for needy families in the area.

    Through this project staffed by volunteers from the Marion-Florence and Centre school districts, about 60 families each year receive care packages that include children’s gifts, large food boxes, blankets, pillows, personal care items and baby care items.

    Participants can pick up angels from trees at the following area businesses: in Marion, Casey’s General Store, Brenda’s Bloomers and Gifts, Central National Bank, County Seat, Duckwall’s Variety Store, Marion National Bank, Mike’s Service Center and Tampa State Bank; in Florence, Cottonwood Valley Bank and Wilbur’s Market; and Tampa State Bank in Tampa.

    Gifts must be returned to these locations or to the Marion Chamber of Commerce at 203 N. Third in time for distribution Dec. 14.

    For more information, contact Margo Yates at 620-382-3425.

  • The Big Scoop in Marion is accepting donations to purchase gifts for residents of Marion Manor and St. Luke Living Center who don’t have family or friends nearby.

    For more information, call 620-382-3838.

  • Marion Auto Supply, 115 E. Main, is an official Toys for Toddlers dropoff site for new, unwrapped toy donations for any age child.

    Donations will be accepted through Dec. 19. They will then be given to the Community Christmas project for distribution.

    For more information, call Mike Regnier at 620-382-2149.

  • Centre High School student council is sponsoring a food drive for needy families in the area.

    Donations will be accepted until Dec. 23. For more information, call 785-983-4321.

  • Legacy Park, 407 N. Locust, Peabody is collecting canned and non-perishable food items for the food pantry at Peabody Christian Church, Division and Sycamore.

    Donations will be accepted at either location until Dec. 21.

  • Peabody Association of Churches is accepting donations of money, non-perishable food items and personal care items to put together Christmas baskets for needy families in Peabody.

    Donated items may be dropped off until Dec. 14 at any area churches or at Peabody-Burns Grade School, 506 Elm.

    Toys and money have also been donated from the Marion County Toy Run held this fall.

    For more information, call Ginger Whitney at 620-983-2170.

  • Peabody-Burns High School, 810 N. Sycamore, Peabody, is collecting personal care items for the Newton Women’s Battered Shelter.

    In the project sponsored by student council, classes are competing for a pizza party to see which can collect the most items.

    Donations of personal care items such as shampoo and toothpaste may be dropped off for the class of choice until Dec. 12. For more information, call 620-983-2196.

  • The Florence Police Department is collecting money, toys and non-perishable food items for several needy families in town.

    Donations will be accepted at the city office, 511 Main, until Dec. 20.

    For more information, call Darla Gore at 620-878-4296.

  • The Goessel Ministerial Alliance and Crossroads Federal Credit Union, 217 E. Main, Goessel, are sponsoring a Christmas Giving Tree to “help with some of the expenses of Christmas for those families in need.”

    Applications to have a child’s name on the tree are available at the credit union, Goessel, Tabor or Alexanderwohl Mennonite churches, the Goessel Elementary School and Goessel High School offices, Joyful Noise Community Child Care and Citizens State Bank.

    They must be turned in by today, Dec. 7, to any of the churches or the credit union.

    Each child’s name turned in will get at least two anonymous tags on the tree with his or her age, gender and gift description.

    Wrapped gifts must be returned to the credit union by Dec. 21.

    For more information, call 620-367-2285.

  • Goessel Elementary School, 500 E. Main, is holding a food drive until Dec. 14 for the Tabor Mennonite Church food pantry.

    The pantry specifically needs boxed cereal, boxed meals like macaroni and cheese, instant pudding, laundry detergent, toilet paper, facial tissue, bar soap and dish soap.

    For more information, call Denise at 620- 367-4601.

  • Canton-Galva Middle School is collecting new or gently used stuffed animals for needy children in the area.

    Animals should be dropped off by Dec. 16 in boxes at the elementary, middle and high schools.

    For more information, call Bonnie Holopirek at 620-654-3321.

    If your business or church is sponsoring a holiday drive that is open to the public and was not listed in this week, contact the Free Press at 620-947-5702 or staff@hillsborofreepress.com and we will publish that information in next week’s edition.

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