While donations are down compared to previous years, organizers with the “Share Your Christmas” campaign say contributions improved over the last several days.
The drive helps needy children in Texas County.
The effort enrolled 254 children – 106 have been adopted.
“Things look much brighter this week, thanks to the good response to the plea for help last week, but much is still needed in order to provide gifts for all the children,” said Pat Miller, coordinator. “Donations are still down considerably compared to previous years.”
New or good used toys and clothing may be dropped off at the headquarters situated in the basement of the Houston Lions Club den on North U.S. 63. Hours are 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Monetary donations can be left or mailed to P.O. Box 170, Houston, Mo. 65483.
Anyone wanting to adopt a child can drop by the headquarters or call 417-457-6075, 967-3234 or 417-967-8917.
Several organizations made donations or adopted families this past week: Forbes’ Pharmacy, Eunice Baptist Church, Ozark Trail Board of Realtors, The Bank of Houston employees, Neal’s Sporting Goods, Burch Insurance, New Hope Baptist Church WMU, Missouri Loan Center, Central Baptist Church, Exceptional Child Cooperative staff, Houston Sportswear, Houston VFW and “Girl Talk” youth group – First Baptist Church, Houston.
USDA Service Center employees, Womack Chiropratic, Ozark Baptist Church, Fraternal Order of Eagles #3911, St. John’s Clinic staff and Progressive Ozark Bank employees.
Here are the latest cases. Previous ones are available at www.houstonherald.com or in previous issues of the Herald.
Case No. 11
A 6-year-old boy needs size 7 pants and shirts and size 2 shoes. His toy wish is Legos or Transformers. His two sisters, ages 7 and 9, need size 16 clothes and shoe sizes 4 and 5. They would like to get a Barbie doll, Hannah Montana or craft items.
Case No. 12
Two very small girls, who are 2 and 1, would love a new baby doll, some books or a teddy bear. Clothing sizes needed are 18 months and 3T. They need size 5 and size 9 shoes.
Case No. 13
This 4-year-old boy is hoping to get some Transformers for his Christmas gift. He also needs size 7 pants and shirts and size 12 shoes.
Case No. 14
Baby dolls or Dora is the Christmas wish of these two little girls, ages 3 and 18 months. Clothing sizes needed for them are 3T and 18 months.
Case No. 15
These two brothers, ages 11 and 12, would like some board games or a remote control truck. Jean sizes needed are 12 and 14 and shirts size 14-16. Both boys really need coats in boys’ size 16.
Case No. 16
Dolls, horses or something to paint or color is what this 4-year-old girl is hoping to get for Christmas. She needs size 5 clothing and size 12 shoes. Her 2-year-old brother likes Sponge Bob, but will be happy with any toy. He needs size 2T clothes and size 7 shoes.
Case No. 17
A 3-year-old girl needs a new coat size 4T. She also needs size 4T pants and tops and size 10 shoes. A doll with a stroller or some books is her toy wish.
Case. No. 18
A Batman car or a Transformer is on the wish list of this 4-year-old boy. He wears 5T clothing and size 9 shoes. His 3-year-old sister wears size 4T clothing, size 8 shoes and wants a baby doll.
Case No. 19
Two little girls, ages 5 and 3, would like some toy dishes with some play food or a Barbie doll. The 3 year old wears size 4T clothes and size 10 shoes. The 5 year old needs size 6 clothes and size 13 shoes. Their 2-year-old brother wears size 3T clothing, size 10 shoes and likes toy cars and trucks.
Case No. 20
A 7-month-old baby boy is in need of size 9 month sleepers and warm clothing. Any baby toys will make him happy. Some toy cars or a tool set is the wish of his 3-year-old brother. Size 3T clothing