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Give what you can this holiday season

By Staff | Dec 4, 2009

The holidays are supposed to be a joyous occasion, filled with happy times.

Unfortunately, they can be a time of great stress and despair for some.

Even in our small communities there are individuals and families who need help to make this holiday season more enjoyable.

And that’s where a community can come to the aid of its fellow citizens.

Here are a few ways:

-The Rugby Lions Club’s annual Project Joy is in its 21st season and provides gifts for local individuals and families.

Trees are set up at Pamida, Borth’s and Hardware Hank which have gift tags on them. Residents are encouraged to take a tag off the tree and purchase the requested gift and then leave it at the store with a cashier or drop it off at any of the four lending institutions in town or at The Tribune. Later in the month, the club will sort the gifts and get them to the project participants.

-The HAMC Auxiliary Tree of Giving. This project raises funds for the medical center’s Hospice program and to purchase Lifeline units for senior citizens. Donations can be made to the medical center’s volunteer services organization.

-The Rugby Community Food Pantry puts together special food baskets. So far, over 90 families have requested one this year. They include a turkey and other food items and some special gifts. Pantry organizers are always looking for volunteers to help assemble the baskets and deliver them. Monetary donations to the food pantry are always welcomed.

-The Pierce County Salvation Army Kettle campaign runs through the rest of this month. The kettle is set up in the entry at Pamida on Saturdays during the holiday season, and kettle organizers are always looking for volunteers to ring the bell. Proceeds go directly to helping residents in the county.

These are just some of the ways to help others this holiday season. Find it in your heart to be generous and help those less fortunate.

It’s a season of giving. A time which brings out the best in all of us.