lceditor posted on December 04, 2008 13:14
By Brad Devereaux
With the season of giving growing near, there are many organizations in the Lovell area that are making sure everyone has a merry Christmas. Through donations of toys, food or money, anyone can pitch in with the effort.
For the little ones, toys seem to be the highlight of the holidays. For families that can’t afford to give their children many toys, Toys for Tots is stepping up again this year to play Santa.
Big Horn Basin Toys for Tots area coordinator Joe Mooney said drop-off points for new, un-wrapped toys will be set up at the three banks in Lovell, Switchback Grill, Lange’s Kitchen, Red Apple Supermarket and Red Eagle. Mooney will also accept direct donations of toys or money to purchase toys. He asks that all toys be in by Dec. 20, though late donations will still be used next year.
Another way to help those in need is to purchase an ornament for the Tree of Love at the New Horizons Care Center. The tree was set up this week, said Marion Leonhardt, and ornaments are available for purchase for $1 for silver, $5 for green, $10 for red, $15 for blue, and $25 for gold. The ornaments can be purchased in honor or in memory of a loved one, she said.
Any funds raised from the Tree of Love or from the gift shop will be used to purchase equipment for the NHCC, Leonhardt said. In the past, the money has been used to buy dining chairs and folding chairs and tables.
The NHCC will also be holding a raffle for a nativity set, with all proceeds going to the NHCC. The drawing will be held Friday, Dec. 5. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5.
The Big Horn County Fire District No. 1 is again putting together food baskets to give to families in need this holiday season in north Big Horn County.
Non-perishable food items may be dropped off at the Lovell fire station anytime and perishable items such as potatoes may be dropped before Dec. 19, Fire Captain Bob Mangus said.
Mangus said the department is working to put together 120 baskets this year. They will be delivered Dec. 22. For more information contact Mangus at 548-6427.
Pastor Paula Morse of the Lovell United Methodist Church said the food bank is currently very full for the holidays, thanks to the generosity of the community.
“We received everything we needed. We may need more mid winter, but we’ll see,” Morse said. The few things missing from the food bank pantry are spaghetti sauce, dried milk, jelly and maple syrup, she said.
She said the bank could always use monetary donations to spend on gift cards that are given to families to buy eggs, milk, bread and other perishables.
Anyone in need of food can come to the food bank located at 15 Park Ave. in Lovell, Morse said. Pastor Chris Brandt of St. John’s Lutheran church helps Morse run the food bank, and donations come in from other churches, too, as well as civic groups and individuals, she said.
Christmas in Cowley is a holiday giving tradition. The town asks donations of money and food to help Cowley people who are in need and without family close by. Donations may be brought to the museum and, if it is closed, the workshop in town.
The Waterhole #1 Bar in Cowley is also accepting donations of toys and canned food from now until a week before Christmas. Collected items will be taken to the Lovell Armory for distribution.
The Four Corners Bar in Lovell has already participated in the annual ABATE toy run, but they are still accepting donations of money and gift cards, which they will send on to the Lovell Fire Dept. for their food baskets.