Let the giving begin

The Giving Tree is now up and ready for shoppers at the Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter office. 

Forms to sign up for the 2023 Giving Tree were distributed at Clear Lake Schools, Lake Town Charlie Brown and Head Start in Clear Lake. Those requesting help with the purchase of gifts and food for their families were invited to respond. Ornaments were then created to represent Christmas wishes.  

The public is invited to stop in, choose ornaments and shop for a child or entire family. Some ornaments denote the number of persons in the family so that a food gift card may be purchased as a gift. Although toys are always a fun gift, The Giving Tree is primarily intended to help families meet needs. The age of a child, as well as their sizes appear on the ornaments.   

Ornaments may be checked out from the Mirror-Reporter office, 12 N. 4th St., between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. 

Wrapped gifts and food cards must be turned in to the Mirror-Reporter no later than noon, Wednesday, Dec. 13. Families are then notified when gifts are ready for pick up.

Those choosing not to shop this holiday season might consider making a financial donation to The Giving Tree.  Funds will be used to fulfill family needs. Thanks to Share Life, donations of cash and food cards for Giving Tree families are tax-deductible.  To make a tax-deductible donation to The Giving Tree, make checks payable to Share Life, with “Giving Tree” noted in the memo. Donations may be dropped off or sent to the Mirror-Reporter office.

Former Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter Publisher Marianne Gasaway is organizing The Giving Tree project for the newspaper.  She may be reached at 641-231-1558 to answer questions.