‘Every child deserves a little Christmas’

Once again Santa’s helpers are on the move with the Christmas Basket and Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots programs.

Powell Council for Community Services basket program and Tots’ objective is to help the less fortunate, but they too could use a helping hand from the more fortunate.

Folks can pick up their free baskets brimming with good food and new toys for their kids from 1-3 p.m., Monday, Dec. 23, at the Park County Fairgrounds’ Multi-Purpose Building in Powell. If they are unable to pick up their basket, they are asked to arrange for someone to fetch it for them. Folks from Powell and Clark are eligible for baskets, but they must pick up and return the application no later than Friday, Dec. 13. The applications are available at the Powell Police Department at 270 N. Clark St. Return them there or mail them to Community Services.

As always, Sally’s Boutique will be open for anyone from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 24-29 at the fairgrounds. Used clothing, shoes and other items are free. Used furniture and appliances will be available at another location at no cost too. Ask a boutique helper for directions.

“Even Christmas Day we’re open,” said Sally Montoya.

Montoya has been the Basket program leader for 64 years.

The program is only a part of what Community Services does. It relies on donations to provide folks down on their luck with utility bills, groceries and other needs. About half the money it raises is earmarked for the basket program, said Jim Carlson, Powell Council for Community Services treasurer.

Montoya has Community Services and a small army of volunteers assisting her, but the public’s offerings of money, toys, clothing and other essentials for the poor is essential to the program’s continuance. “It takes more than us,” Montoya said. “We can’t do it without donations.”

Folks can mail monetary contributions to Powell Council for Community Services, P.O. Box 794, Powell, WY 82435.

Gift certificates from area stores are also sought by Montoya because teenagers often wish for particular items, she said. Folks wishing to make a Tot monetary donation, request a toy or find other pertinent information can go to:

http://powell--wy.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx.

Many people favored with good fortune enjoy giving more than receiving and youth coming to age learn to be humanitarians in an altruistic community like Powell. “Everybody pass their blessings on,” said Harold Wages, Tots area coordinator.

Tots have toy and money collection locations at stores and businesses all over town. Although Tots’ regulations state volunteers cannot solicit donation sites from businesses or individuals, they would be more than happy to bring the donation boxes and/or money cans to anyone, including folks throwing a Christmas party. Give Wages a call at 307-213-0305, he said.

Since Tots and the Basket program are partners in the Powell area, every dollar donated to Tots equals an extra dollar Community Services saves to spend buying food for the baskets or for its year-round humanitarian efforts, Wages said.

People can drop off toys, clothing and other items at Montoya’s home at 253 N. Ferris St., or they can make arrangements to deliver it elsewhere. Give her a call at 307-202-1663.

Montoya could use a few good volunteers. Meet her at the fairgrounds at 9 a.m. after Dec. 7.

If folks are faced with the dilemma of either paying bills or buying groceries rather than purchasing gifts for their kids, let Community Services and/or Tots lend a hand.

“Every child deserves a little Christmas,” Wages said.