December 2021 | THE LAKER | Page 3
’Tis The Season To Bring Joy and Help Others By Leigh Sharps For the past two years, we have experienced a total change in habits during the holiday season: fewer events, less in-person shopping, no large family dinners or gatherings, an inability to get out during the holidays to volunteer, and (especially) the chance to aid families with children who might need extra help bringing joy to them on Christmas morning. Somehow, though, gift-giving to youngsters continued last year through the concerted efforts of faithful volunteers, public donations, and help from many local Lakes Region businesses, individuals, and organizations. Those successful efforts are anticipated this holiday season, again, and if you are looking for ways to help out, there are certainly abundant methods to do so. “Toys For Tots” is a program started by the U.S. Marine Corps. Their program began as collecting unwrapped gifts and distributing them to less-fortunate children at Christmas. It became more organized and official as the “Marine Toys for Tots Program” in 1991. It has become the most widely known holiday toy charity in the nation. It has a board of directors who are ex-Marines and business leaders from all over the country. They’re headquartered near Washington, D.C. One objective of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is to “help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas and play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable re-
sources: our children.” To request toys from Toys for Tots, one may go online and click the link for assistance. Their main Granite State office is in Manchester, with program branches all over the state. Going online also provides other information and the closest program near you. Many Lakes Region holiday charitable programs partner with them each year. A n n u a l l y, as the holiday season approaches, members of Lakes Region organizations and clubs (the Rotary and Lions Club or other service organizations, for instance) hold events such as concerts, dinners, food basket deliveries, and coat and toy drives. Of course, non-members of organizations help, also, through donations of money, food, goods, and services. The Lakes Region Rotary partners with the Salvation Army in Laconia during their yearly holiday “Kettle Drive.” Off-season, they support the Salvation Army’s bi-monthly “Friendly Kitchen.” The Rotary also has a car show every year. It is a big fundraiser for them and the
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money raised supports the Santa Fund, which provides winter boots, coats, mittens, and hats for area youths. The Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction, in its 40th year, is also a large part of the holiday season. Between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on December 7 through 10, the event will be televised on Lakes Region Public Access Channel 25 and Atlantic Broadband Channel 12, and on the radio at 104.9 The Hawk and 101.5 Lakes FM, all from the Tanger Outlets in Tilton where people may visit in person this year. More information is posted on their auction site, facebook. com/childrensauction. A lot of Christmas shopping can be done this way, with diverse offerings available to the public, such as global vacations, handcrafted goods, dining and clothing store gift cards, and larger items such as popular sporting goods. The funds are disbursed to organizations that provide needs to Lakes Region children and families. Applications for assistance are posted online at childrensauction.com.
Speaking of radio holiday traditions, the Mix 94.1 FM Cash N’ Cans Annual Food and Money Drive is set for the week of December 10-17, with radio personality Fred Caruso, who founded the effort in 1987. Many events are planned for the week, so stay tuned in to Fred. Last year, Cash N’ Cans raised $52,000 in cash and thousands of pounds of non-perishable food items. A unique way they raise funds (besides direct donations) is through the purchase of their prize calendar ($10) and with cash and prizes donated by individuals and businesses, a lucky winner is selected daily for a prize. Listen to details on 94.1 FM. All donations from Cash N’ Cans stay local and go to many programs, including the Twin Rivers Interfaith Food Pantry, Santa Fund of the Lakes Region, the Tilton-Northfield-Sanbornton Christmas Fund, Bread & Roses Soup Kitchen, the Franklin Police Department’s Toys for Tots program, Santa’s L’il Helpers through the Belmont Police Department, the “Every Child Is Ours” program, the Meredith Emergency Food Pantry, and the Northfield-Tilton Congregational Church Food Pantry. These are all programs you can contact now to help during the holiday season (and most of them are year-round, also). Lakes Region Community Services helps the needy all year and especially during the holidays. They display a
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