There was a time when Dave Blevins, former organizer of Powell’s Christmas Basket program for the past 35 years, didn’t think he would ever find someone to take his place when he needed to retire from the volunteer position.

Truth is, Blevins didn’t find a single person to take his spot: He found six. The Christmas Basket program is now in the hands of Terry and Jan Cronin, Howard and Ann Sanders, and Donna Putney and Mike Giese.

“It’s a good program, it’s great for the community and somebody needed to do it,” said Terry Cronin.

“We didn’t want to see the program die — the food provided to those in need — so we said we’ll do it,” Jan Cronin said.

All six, friends who met at Hope Lutheran Church, are ready to roll. Applications are now available at dozens of churches, schools and the Powell Police Department. All are frequent volunteers in the area.

The Cronins work with developmentally disabled children and veterans and adults with physical challenges. The Sanders have been longtime volunteers with the Christmas Basket program and the Shoshone Back Country Horsemen. Putney and Giese only moved her a year ago, but started helping with the Christmas Basket program within days of relocating to Powell. Putney is the pastor at Hope Lutheran.

To qualify for a basket of delicious food and holiday toys supplied by the town’s many generous donors, applications for aid must be filled out and returned to the police department by Friday, Dec. 13. Sally Montoya, a.k.a. Powell’s Santa, and her elves will continue to help take care of Toys for Tots and is still accepting donations.

Blevins had combined the Christmas Basket program with the Powell Council of Community Services, but the council is now a separate entity. Known as the Powell Cares Alliance, it offers assistance to those needing help with large, non-holiday season issues, including utility bills and rent. The program is run by Powell Police Department Coordinator of Chaplains Chuck Hewitt, department chaplains and local churches; the Powell Cares Alliance also accepts applications at the police department.

More than 120 families qualified for Christmas Basket assistance last year. In an effort to ensure nobody is left out, Terry Cronin has been working overtime to get applications to every church in the Powell area.

“Terry has spent the last two weeks going back and forth to find people [at the churches] to receive the applications,” Jan Cronin said.

Powell’s two grocery stores, Mr. D’s Food Center and Blair’s Market, take turns helping the program each year. Mr. D’s will be filling the orders this year. The Christmas baskets will be available for pick-up on Monday, Dec. 23, from 1-3 p.m.

The Cronins don’t expect to be able to volunteer for the next 35 years. To help in the next transition period for the organization, the couple is preparing an instruction manual for future leaders. They have also registered the charity drive as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and all future donations are tax deductible.

The Cronins said volunteering is something they were raised to do and live by the rule; help those in need.

“When you sit down to your Thanksgiving dinner and realize how blessed you really are, it’s nice to be able to give back,” Terry said.

“We’re put here to help people,” said Jan.