Gift programs bring holiday cheer

jfriedlein@thenewsenterprise.com

Jill Pickett

The Helping Hand tree is set up at Towne Mall. Shoppers can pick up a slip of paper and purchase items for the child it represents.

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Jill Pickett

Red and green slips with age, gender and on the back clothing and toys requested, represent area children that shoppers can help to have a merry Christmas, by donating to the Helping Hand tree program. The tree is set up at Towne Mall in Elizabethtown.

Buy this photo

Jill Pickett

Red and green slips with age, gender and on the back clothing and toys requested, represent area children that shoppers can help to have a merry Christmas, by donating to the Helping Hand tree program. The tree is set up at Towne Mall in Elizabethtown.

Buy this photo

Hardin County gift donation efforts are seeing an increased need this Christmas season.

More than 1,100 children have registered for the Angel Tree program and there still are a lot of angels left on the trees, said local Salvation Army Director Lt. Marie Inmon.

A similar program operated by Helping Hand of the Heartland signed up 150 to 200 more families than last year, said David Dozer, director of Helping Hand of the Heartland and North Hardin HOPE.

Many parents are unemployed and say this is the fist time they’ve asked for help, Inmon said.

“We’re just finding families that are having a difficult time,” she said,

The registration deadline for recipients has passed for both programs, but donors still can participate.

The Salvation Army has set up a tree at Walmart in Radcliff, and Inmon expected another to go up at the Elizabethtown Walmart in time for Friday’s big shopping day. Donors can get information from the tree to buy toys, clothing and food for low-income families.

Angels also are available by calling the Salvation Army at 234-0833.

Donors should drop off items they purchase by Dec. 8 at the store where they picked up the angels — or at the Salvation Army, Community Action or North Hardin HOPE.

Recipients can pick up gift packs at specific times on Dec. 20 and 21 at Radcliff Electric Supply on South Dixie Boulevard.

Inmon asked donors not wrap gifts for the program, which also involves the U.S. Marine’s Toys for Tots effort.

Inmon said this is such a “wonderfully giving community,” and participating in the Angel Tree program could make the holidays less stressful and help create precious memories.

As for Helping Hand’s version, its Hand to Heart tree is at Towne Mall in Elizabethtown.

Volunteers will deliver the toy and food boxes to families Dec. 23.

At least 1,000 families registered, Dozer said.

Donors shop for the gifts and then bring them back to the tree at the mall or Helping Hand on East Dixie Avenue until Dec. 17.

“We want every child in the county to have a great Christmas,” Dozer said.

Other local organizations, such as churches, offer similar programs.

John Friedlein can be reached at (270) 505-1746.