Angela Lange, Marion city clerk and a committee member with the Community Christmas Project, looks at one of the many gifts that will be given to children 18 or younger in the Marion and Centre school districts. The toy and food basket programs are designed to help families financially limited, said Margo Yates, Chamber of Commerce executive director and committee member. A majority of the money, she said, is generated by the Marion County Toy Run. This year the organization set a new record by raising more than $12,000. In addition to the toys, Yates said some 60 families will receive a a box filled with non-perishable food items and a ham. The Community Christmas Gift pickup is from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18 in the basement of the Marion City Building, 203 N. Third St. Anyone who thinks they may not be able to make the specified pickup date is asked to call before Dec. 18. If someone doesn?t arrive and has not made other arrangements prior to Dec. 18, she said, those items will be given to another family in need. For more information, call Yates at 620-382-3425.
