Slick winter weather has left the annual “Share Your Christmas” campaign for Texas County children running behind in donations, noted an organizer, who voiced alarm that contributions are just one-third of their normal level.
Winter weather has made it impossible for many to lend a hand, said Pat Miller, who coordinates the effort.
As of Monday, 315 children were included in the drive to make Christmas a little bit brighter, and only 75 had been adopted. The children are in about 115 families.
To make matters worse, several dinners and toy drives that had been planned were cancelled because of treacherous road conditions. “It’s alarming the affect the weather has had,” she said.
Miller said the easiest way to help may be angel trees that are in place at several locations, including Walmart Supercenter, Untangled Salon, Gigi’s Nail Salon and Houston Sonic. Needs are detailed on ornaments on the tree, and that would make the completion of a case easy.
Whispering Pines, a Houston restaurant on U.S. 63, will hold a 3-7 p.m. fundraiser Friday. For a suggested $5 donation, spaghetti, salad and garlic bread will be served. All proceeds benefit Share Your Christmas.
Several organizations pitched in amid snow and ice last week: Girl Scouts in Texas County, Neal’s Sporting Goods, Houston FFA chapter, Houston Community Betterment’s youth organization, Eunice Baptist Church, Hayes Café and Quik Cash.
Donations of new or good used toys, children’s clothes and coats are sought. Items may be dropped off between 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday, at Lions Club basement, north of Houston. To adopt a family, call 417-217-1318 or 217-6595. Donations can be mailed to Share Your Christmas, P.O. Box 170, Houston, Mo. 65483 or dropped by the Houston Herald office, 113 N. Grand.