Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Due to the rise in local unemployment (from 2 percent to nearly 5 percent in a few months), the agencies serving the disadvantaged of Kosciusko County have decided to work together even more closely this holiday season.
The Salvation Army, Our Father's House, Helping Hands of Mentone and Combined Community Services are joining to maximize the number of the less fortunate residents that can be served through the holiday season. This will be accomplished by sharing application information thereby reducing duplication of services to any single client. Any group planning a Christmas outreach is encouraged to contact Ken Locke at the Salvation Army to share information.
All Kosciusko County residents are encouraged to take part in the toy sale. The annual toy sale will take place at the fairgrounds Dec. 15-16. Toys can be dropped off from Dec. 10-14. The seller will receive 60 percent of the sale price and 40 percent will go to buy new toys for the toy giveaway Dec. 17-18. The seller has the option to donate unsold toys to the toy giveaway.
The toy giveaway helps all parents with incomes at or below 125 percent of the poverty level. The parents receive both gently used and new toys to provide gifts for their children. Please come to any of the above agencies for a referral to the toy giveaway. For more information, call Ami Pitt at 269-2088.
Helping Hands of Mentone will have food on Dec. 20 for all families of the Tippecanoe Valley School District who need assistance. Gifts will be given out as they are available. For more information, call Jerry Secrist at 353-7701.
All other Kosciusko County area residents who meet the criteria for assistance are encouraged to choose one of the following options:
• The Salvation Army will have the "Angel Tree." Children, newborn through 12 years old, may participate. The information gathered includes the child's name, age, sex and a toy the child wants. Applications will be taken Oct. 10-Nov. 21. For more information, call The Salvation Army at 267-5361.
• Our Father's House will provide a complete Christmas dinner and gifts for the children of qualified families. Applications are taken in person at Our Father's House, 2234 E. Center St., Warsaw.
• Adopt-A-Family is a program administered by Combined Community Services. The entire family is "adopted" by a club, business, church group or individual. Christmas dinner and gifts for the whole family are provided by the "adopter," who can choose to meet the "adopted" family or remain anonymous. Applications can be completed at CCS Oct. 25-Nov. 1.
