Christmas Bureau seeking more volunteers, donations

 

Donations and volunteers are still needed to help make this year’s Jackson County Christmas Bureau a success.

A total of 150 applications from families, seniors and disabled citizens have been received for this year’s Christmas Bureau, which has been set for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11, at Evangel United Methodist Church. 

Jennifer Godfrey, one of the organizers for the event, said that a variety of donations are still being sought. Food items, including peanut butter and canned fruit, are needed, as well as new toys for children eight to 18.

“We need gifts for children ages 14 to 18,” Godfrey said. “We can always take financial donations to fill in those gaps.”

For more than 30 years, the bureau has allowed income-eligible families to “shop” for Christmas gifts, essential items and food. The bureau also serves senior citizens and disabled residents in need.

Food and gift donations can be dropped off at one of the 18 boxes decorated with wrapping paper at businesses and organization around Holton, Godfrey said. All the boxes will be picked up on Tuesday. 

Area church members have been assembling and donating bags full of essential items for the Christmas Bureau.

“We’re pretty set with those,” she said. “I think we’ll have more than enough. We want to thank everyone for their support so far. We really appreciate it.”

Volunteers are needed on Wednesday evening, Dec. 9, to transport gifts and the bags with the essential items to the church, Godfrey said. 

“We need some big vans or enclosed pick-ups to transport donations after 5 p.m.,” she said. 

Members of the AmeriCorps team working in Jackson County will help set up the store on Wednesday and Thursday. Godfrey said volunteers will be needed during the Christmas Bureau on that Friday to help with a variety of tasks. 

“We need people to wrap gifts, carry out gifts and food boxes to cars and assemble the food boxes in the kitchen,” she said. “We also need people to restock tables with gifts. We’ll probably have to do some shopping the day before to buy some food items and last-minute gifts.”

Godfrey said that volunteers can work for just an hour or longer, depending on their schedule.

“You can just show up or you can also give me a call to let me know you’re coming,” she said. 

To volunteer in any capacity, contact Godfrey at (785) 224-3608. 

The Holton Recorder

109 W. Fourth St.
Holton, KS 66436
Phone: 785-364-3141
 

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