A season of giving: Opportunities abound to spread holiday cheer

 MONTGOMERY COUNTY – Anyone filled with good will during this holiday season will have plenty of opportunities to help their fellow man through donations to various campaigns and fundraisers.

Local public safety entities in Montgomery County are working together again in the fourth annual Toys for Tots program. 

Parents or guardians of children between the ages of 1-14 years old can sign up for a new, unwrapped toy at the Red Oak Fire Station Nov. 29, 30, or Dec. 1 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.. Sign ups will not be accepted before or after those dates. 

At the sign up, the adult must provide documentation such as a birth certificate, Medicaid card, or other government document with the child’s name and date of birth. There are no financial eligibility guidelines. 

There are several ways to donate a toy, which should be new and in the original box. A drop box will be located at the Red Oak Fareway and toys can also be left at the Red Oak fire station during regular business hours. 

There will also be a Toys 4 Tots toy drive Dec. 6 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Fareway store in Red Oak. Santa and Mrs. Claus are scheduled to make an appearance, along with lighted fire trucks. Music and caroling will also be included. 

Southwest Iowa Families is soliciting donations for its 14th annual Christmas Box Project. 

“Families in Fremont, Page and Montgomery Counties adopted by others, have received toys and books for their children, clothing, hats, gloves and gift cards for gas, food and other necessities.  The families have always been very thankful for the gifts they have been given,” Project Organizer Kathleen Keefer said of the annual event. “Many families are experiencing hard times and are unable to make ends meet. They may not have the extra resources to buy toys or books for their children. Many out of work parents are struggling and they need our help.”

Keefer said families of all sizes are available for “adoption”, ranging from a single mom with one child to parents with multiple children. 

After choosing the size of the family to adopt, donors will be provided a “wish list” for the family:  sizes; gender; and what toys they may want.  Donors can do the shopping themselves or make a monetary donation instead. 

Donors who want to do the shopping themselves need to bring the wrapped gifts to Montgomery County Public Health by Dec. 15 for delivery. 

Anyone with questions or to adopt a family can contact Keefer at 542-3501.

The Red Oak School District has also started a campaign to collect items needed with the onset of winter. 

In addition to food items, each school is collecting blankets, pillows and bedding which will be donated to Christ’s Cupboard food pantry. 

Items will be collected at each school from Nov. 18-Dec. 17 and will be delivered as needed to the food pantry. 

“The cold weather has definitely landed, and is probably here to stay. With this cold weather comes a need for our families in the Red Oak area,” Inman Primary Principal Gayle Allensworth stated. “I am hopeful that we have so much to donate, we have to make several deliveries.”

The general public is encouraged to drop off new or gently used items at any of the schools in the district during normal hours.