The annual charitable drive known as “Share Your Christmas” last week continued its mission of aiding needy children in Texas County.
The program is headquartered in the basement of the Houston Lions Club Den on North U.S. 63. Children enrolled are assigned case numbers, and people wishing to help are encouraged to “adopt” a specific case or provide general donations.
The following are summaries of some of this year’s cases.
Case 11
A 2-year-old boy needs size 2T pants and shirts, and size 6 shoes, and he really likes Elmo. His 1-year-old sister needs size 18-month clothing and winter coat, and would be happy with any toys appropriate for her age.
Case 12
Three brothers – ages 5, 4 and 1 – are in need of clothes and toys for Christmas. The 5-year-old wears size 5T pants and shirts, size 10 shoes, a size 6 coat, and likes books and Transformers. The 4-year-old needs size 5T clothing, size 9 shoes, a size 5 coat, and likes to color and like books. The 1-year-old needs size 12-month pants and shirts, a size 18-month coat, and likes toys with lights or music.
Case 13
Two little girls – ages 3 and 1 – would like some books and a baby doll for Christmas. The 1-year-old also needs size 18-month clothing and size 3 shoes, and the 3-year-old needs size 5T pants and shirts and size 9 shoes.
Case 14
A 4-year-old boy would like a race track with cars, and needs size 4T pants, shirts, and a coat, and size 9 shoes.
Case 15
A 2-year-old girl would like a new baby doll, and needs size 6 shoes, size 18-month pants and shirts, and a size 24-month coat.
Case 16
Two boys – ages 5 and 3 – are hoping to get some new cars and trucks for Christmas. The 5-year-old also needs size 7 pants, size 8 shirts, and size 3 shoes, and the 3-year-old needs size 4 pants, size 5 shirts, and size 12 shoes. Their 6-month old baby brother needs size 9-month clothing, and size 2 shoes. All three boys also need coats.
Case 17
A 2-year-old boy likes Thomas the Train and needs size 3T pants and shirts and size 6 shoes. His 6-year-old sister wears size 7 pants and shirts and would like a princess doll.
Case 18
A 13-year-old girl needs some new clothes for school. She wears size 13-14 jeans, XL junior tops, and size 9 shoes. She also needs an XL coat, and would like some nail polish or jewelry.
Case 19
A 2-year-old girl would like a doll stroller and maybe a doll, too. She wears size 3T pants and shirts and size 8 shoes. Her 4-year-old brother needs size 4T pants and shirts, and size 11 shoes, and would like some new cars and trucks.
Case 20
An 11-year-old girl needs size 12 jeans and shirts, and size 6 shoes, and would like a Twilight book or movie. A 1-year-old boy needs size 18-month pants and shirts, and size shoes, and would like some cars appropriate for his age. Both children are in need of winter coats.
Donations and applications are accepted at the Share Your Christmas headquarters 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“We’ve had a really good response,” volunteer program coordinator Pat Miller said, “but much more is needed. We really need new or good-used toys, and children’s children’s clothing and coats.”
Through last week, 222 children from 86 families were enrolled in the program and 96 had been adopted.
“Angel Trees” are situated in Houston at the Walmart Supercenter and Untangled Salon on First Street, where the needs and wishes of various children are listed on angels hanging on branches. People can purchase items on a list, and “Share Your Christmas” will distribute them after donation.
Monetary donations can be mailed to “Share Your Christmas,” P.O. Box 170, Houston, Mo., 65483, or can be dropped by the Houston Herald office, which started the drive, on Grand Avenue in downtown Houston.
For more information, call 417-217-1318 or 417-217-8953.