PIKE COUNTY, Mo. — NECAC is offering people in Pike County two ways to help make the holidays brighter for those in need.
“The need is really great this year and we know we can count on Pike County residents to come through for their neighbors who are struggling,” said NECAC Pike County Service Coordinator Penny Dixon. “No child should go without a Christmas present and no family should go hungry during the holidays.”
NECAC, the Salvation Army and Bowling Green Walmart are offering the Angel Tree Christmas gift program for Pike County kids. Applications are being taken now with a deadline of Dec. 7.
Starting Nov. 24, people who shop at Walmart will be able to select a tag from the Angel Tree and buy gifts listed. NECAC and the Salvation Army will make sure the packages get to families.
Angel Tree is open to Pike County, Mo., residents only. Tags will not identify recipients, but will have their age, gender and gift requests. Clothing and toys are especially needed. All gifts must be new, but shoppers are allowed to substitute age-appropriate items.
In addition, NECAC has teamed with the Salvation Army, Walmart in Bowling Green and County Market in Louisiana for the Red Kettle fund-raising campaign, which kicks off Nov. 21 and runs through Dec. 24.
People are needed to ring bells for a couple of hours at a time outside the Bowling Green Walmart or County Market in Louisiana. Day and evening hours are available, and the schedule is flexible.
For the Angel Tree program, parents or legal guardians must register their children by making an appointment with Dixon at the NECAC Pike County Service Center, 805 Business Highway 61, in Bowling Green.
The number to call for bell ringing and Angel Tree is 573-324-2207.
“We’ve had success in the past and we look forward to donations and purchases this year,” Dixon said. “Some of the stories are really heartbreaking, and we want to do all we can to make Christmas brighter.”