A number of groups worked for months ahead of Christmas to make sure joy was brought to the faces of many children who would have received very little.
Programs such as the Salem, Centralia, and Kinmundy Police Departments Shop with Cop programs took children shopping for toys and clothing for themselves as well as getting something special for family members.
The WJBD-Centralia Community Youth Center and the Angel Elves Program served hundreds of families throughout Marion County.
Sharon Hall with the Angel Elves finished up its program last week letting parents shop for their kids in the Calumet Street Church gym that was loaded with gifts.
“We are working up to 700 families. We all work together and it’s a community effort. It takes the entire community for us to do this. We are making plans for next year. We’d love to have more volunteers and more support throughout the community. We’re going to be doing fundraisers all next year for Angel Elves.”
The program completed with Chrystal Koch (Coke) is an outgrowth of Koch’s effort to provide warm clothing and school supplies to kids.
The WJBD-Centralia Community Youth Center provided for about 500 kids this year along with meeting some family needs.
In the smaller communities in the area, fire departments, churches, and others have taken up the joy of providing for children this holiday season.
Salem Community High School Honor Society Members shop for Adopt a Family Recipients at the Salem Walmart Store. Many high school organizations were involved in helping to provide gifts to less fortunate children.
Photo by Bruce Kropp.
