Need is great, but response is strong to The Giving Tree

The first week of the Giving Tree program has been very gratifying, but there is much work to be done.

The 23rd annual Giving Tree, displayed in the Mirror-Reporter office, started the holiday season with 198 ornaments representing the needs of local children and families. Sign-up forms for the Giving Tree were 

distributed at Parent-Teacher conferences held in the Clear Lake School District.  They were also sent home with Ventura Elementary School students, as well as those attending Head Start and Lake Town Charlie Brown.  As a result of those letters, ornaments detailing the needs of each child, as well as food ornaments for the family were created for The Giving Tree.  

As of Tuesday morning, Nov. 27, 104 of the ornaments had been checked out from the Reporter office by generous persons willing to make the season a little happier for their neighbors.

New this year, the Giving Tree is asking that gifts of food be made with a gift card.  The card may be presented with a small treat, but the food gift must be in gift card form, rather than boxes of non-perishable items.  The change is necessitated by the overwhelming amount of food given in the past, as well as the challenge of making timely deliveries to the large number of recipients.

Those with questions about purchasing gifts or food for families, or wishing to make a donation which will be dedicated to the Giving Tree, should contact Marianne Morf or Deb Betz at the Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter, 357-2131.  Questions regarding sign-up for the Giving Tree should be directed to Bethany Hythecker or Sally Duesenberg at Clear Lake Schools, 641-357-5288.