Friday, November 30, 2007
Area Rotary Clubs Begin Collections For Those In Need
The Rotary Clubs of Garrett County (Oakland and Grantsville) recently announced the kick-off of their annual effort to collect items to be distributed to the needy for Christmas.
Last year, this effort distributed food certificates as well as gifts and toys to 400 families county-wide. Gifts and toys are provided for children age 16 and below. Deliveries were made to 67 families in the Grantsville and Friendsville areas in 2006.
The primary method of obtaining gifts and food for these families is through donations. A series of displays or trees are placed in businesses and other places throughout the community with tags indicating what is needed. For example, a tag may read “small toy fire truck — age 8.” Individuals wishing to help may simply remove the tag, purchase the item, attach the tag to the gift, and then place it under the tree from which the tag was removed.
Tags are also provided on all trees in Grantsville to remind folks that dollars are also needed to purchase food certificates. The local Rotary will pick up the items and arrange delivery.
Joe Bender of the Grantsville club noted that gift tag trees for the Grantsville area are located at Beachy’s Pharmacy, the Grantsville Branch of the Ruth Enlow Library, Penn Alps Restaurant, First United Bank & Trust, First Peoples Community Federal Credit Union, and M&T Bank. Persons who cannot visit one of the locations to obtain a tag may contact Bender at 814-662-4366. He also noted that monetary donations are also greatly appreciated and needed.
Checks should be made payable to the Grantsville Rotary Christmas Project and mailed to Grantsville Rotary, P.O. Box 358, Grantsville, 21536, or dropped off at any tree location.
“The collection period runs only through Dec. 11 (approximately 3 weeks); therefore, those who are interested should act now,” Bender said.
Collections throughout the county will be assembled and sorted into family units. Deliveries will be made to homes on Saturday, Dec. 15.
