Holiday needs abound in community
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

L-N Photo by Brenda Sommer Santa's Helpers Dolores Neimeier, front, was working to wrap gifts for needy families at the Blessing Cup Storehouse Monday morning. Neimeier, along with Esther Harton, rear left, and Sophie Balcar, behind Neimeier, volunteered their time, as well as their own gift wrap and tape, to dress up presents for the less fortunate.

During the season of giving, there are always good causes that could use help with their missions of serving the less fortunate.

For those who want to broaden their gift shopping or donate some funding to help others, the following organizations can provide an outlet for good will.

Blessing Cup Storehouse

The Blessing Cup Storehouse is doing fine in the toy and food departments, preparing gifts and food for around 60 families this season.

"We've had some big food drives, so we're pretty caught up with that," said Annie Kaspar of Blessing Cup. "Toys are pretty well taken care of. We turn the needs over to churches and different places and they take care of much of it."

But the charity is in desperate need of blankets and towels, as well as wrapping paper, tissue paper and tape. And as always, money is always welcome to help Blessing Cup with its year-round mission of helping provide food and other goods for the less fortunate. To help out, contact Blessing Cup Storehouse at 543-8203 or stop by 507 Bruns with donations on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9 a.m. to noon.

Lions Christmas Baskets

The El Campo Lions club distributes Christmas baskets every year, featuring staple foods for needy families.

The club can always use monetary donations to make sure all families have good, healthy holiday meals.

Citywide Christmas Tree

A Citywide Christmas Tree has been created again this year, by First Convenience Bank in coordination with New Life Assembly of God and Angels on a Mission to help meet the needs of local families during the holidays.

"We know the enormous generosity of the people of El Campo from the Communitywide Thanksgiving Day Dinner, and hope they'll come through for the Citywide Christmas Tree," said New Life Pastor Danny Roberts, who organizes the annual dinner, during which people sign up for the Christmas tree.

Donations of new and gently used items will be accepted at the bank, located inside Wal- Mart, or people may help out by selecting someone from the tree and buying them gifts. Monetary donations may be made payable to New Life Assembly of God Church at the bank. For information call Delana Joines at 578-9937.

Crisis Center

Another group that could use some help this Christmas is the Crisis Center, which sheltered 76 women and 75 children between January and October of this year.

"It is important that we continue the support for this shelter in our county," said El Campo Police Department Officer Cindy Howell.

"While the center provides a safe haven for these victims, they also assist them with other resources, such as employment, housing, day care and other necessities. The center's goal is to help their clients become selfsufficient and to be able to provide a safe home environment for them and their children."

Donations are needed of deodorant, panties of all sizes, shower caps, women's and children's pajamas, bras in all sizes, heating pads, socks in all sizes, shampoo, conditioner, tooth and hair brushes, bandages, cleaning products, laundry soap powder, diapers in sizes 3, 4 and 5, paper towels, toilet paper, hand soap and slippers.

If an individual or an organization would like to provide some of the items, they may drop them by the El Campo Police Department in care of Offi- cer Howell.

Wharton Youth Advisory

Commission

The city of Wharton Youth Advisory Commission is sponsoring a Toy and Food Drive for the holiday season. The drive will benefit the Women's Crisis Center and SHARE. The drive will run through Dec. 18. Nonperishable food items and/or toys can be dropped off at the following locations: Wharton City Hall, 120 E. Caney, Wharton Chamber of Commerce, 225 N. Richmond Road or the El Campo Chamber of Commerce, 201 E. Jackson in El Campo. Monetary donations may be mailed to The Crisis Center, P.O. Box 1820, Bay City, TX 77404.

This the first in a series of two stories on holiday gift giving. The series continues in our next edition, when we will tell readers how to ensure the toys they acquire are safe from contaminant recalls.