Montrose Kiwanis annual toy drive set to begin

As we anticipate enjoying the blessings of Thanksgiving with our families, our thoughts also look forward to the Christmas holidays. The joy of the Christmas Spirit is in sharing with loved ones and with those who are in need. Christmas is a special time of the year, especially for the children in our families.

How sad it would be if even one child in our midst did not experience the joy and excitement of opening gifts on Christmas. There can be no better way to exemplify the heart of Christmas than to help a child enjoy the holiday with toys found under their Christmas tree. The Kiwanis Club of Montrose Area wants to provide just such an opportunity to the people of Susquehanna County.

For the past 34 years the Montrose Area Kiwanis Club has conducted their annual Christmas Toy Drive. Last year, over 750 children in our area were able to enjoy Christmas in a very special way because of the generosity of so many caring neighbors and organizations that contributed to the Toy Drive. Over 4000 new and reusable toys were donated or purchased for the program. We expect to help at least 700 families this year.

The Kiwanis Club is asking for the public’s help and support again this year in this worthwhile service project. Donations of new toys and reusable toys in clean condition are requested. Cash donations are urgently solicited and gladly accepted so that we can purchase new toys in order to meet our goal of giving at least one or two new toys to each child.

Please forward cash contributions to the Kiwanis Club of Montrose Area, PO Box 275, Montrose, PA 18801. Donations can also be given to any Kiwanis member or to Ed DeWitt, Toy Drive chairman.

As we enter the Christmas shopping season please consider purchasing an extra toy or two and bring them to one of the drop-off sites. Toys are being accepted now through Monday, Dec. 15, and may be dropped off at the following locations: Tom Kerr’s Garage, Grow Ave, Montrose; Lee’s Radio Shack, Church Street, Montrose; The Montrose Country Club, 870 Lake Ave., Montrose.

For additional information, please contact the Montrose Kiwanis Club at 570-278-3537.

The Susquehanna County Christmas Bureau, a program affiliated with Interfaith of Susquehanna County, will coordinate the registration of recipients and distribution of the toys. The guiding principal for Interfaith is “Caring People Reaching Others.”

Christmas toys and food baskets will be given out on Thursday, Dec. 18 at the Montrose Bible Conference, Lake Ave., Montrose.

The Kiwanis Club of Montrose Area invites everyone to participate in this annual service project. Please help us make a Christmas dream come true for the needy children in our area.