Santa's Elves Begin Work at Cedarville

The Santa's Elves Program, which collects gifts for needy families, began its campaign last week and will continue through Friday, December 14, at First National Bank in Cedarville. Bank employees are also collecting food and non-perishable items for the Cedar Post Emergency Pantry and Thrift Shop in Cedarville.

Few can imagine a Christmas without presents, and Santa's Elves continues to assist people who face the holiday season without gifts for their children or a holiday meal.

This holiday season, Santa's Elves volunteers expect to provide food for holiday meals to at least 44 local families, and gifts to 115 children. Program coordinators Kate Ter Haar and Pat O'Brien match the gifts to the children who need them, and package the gifts for a parent or guardian to pick up.

Gift requests, in the form of a tag with a child's age and gender attached, can be selected from a Christmas tree at First National Bank. The big tree is not up yet, but cards can be selected from a small tree or by requesting one from bank staff.

The suggested gift value is $20 to $25, and donors may buy items like toys, games, sporting goods, books, or jewelry. Clothing is not suggested because sizing children is difficult. Santa's Elves fill clothing requests when necessary.

Donors should bring wrapped gifts to First National Bank on Meridian Street in Cedarville, and attach the gift request card to the gift so coordinators can identify recipients.

For about 15 years, the Santa's Elves program has provided Christmas meals and gifts for the less fortunate of the community. Families receive the components of a holiday meal, like fresh fruit, meat certificates that can be redeemed at Cedarville Foods grocery store, and chocolate-covered cherries or candy. Organizations like the St. Vincent DePaul Society, Cedarville High Student Council, and Les Cheneaux Area Girl Scouts have also assisted the program, providing money, clothing, and assis- tance with making up packages.

Santa's Elves is a year-around program that helps people in need by fulfilling emergency requests for clothing, food, and toiletries, such as for people who have lost items in a fire.

Cash donations made to Santa's Elves help support the program throughout the year, and donations are always welcome. Information about the program can be obtained by calling Mrs. Ter Haar at (906) 484-3610 or Mrs. O'Brien at (906) 484-3520. Donations can be mailed to Santa's Elves, care of Kate Ter Haar, 803 Islington Road, Cedarville, Michigan 49719.

First National Bank is also accepting canned goods, dry mixes, pudding mixes, powdered beverages, and packaged cereals, fruits, nuts, other non-perishable foods, and home cleaning and paper products at the Cedarville location. Items will be collected through Thanksgiving, and can be dropped off at a box in the bank. All items will be donated to the Cedar Post Emergency Food Pantry and Thrift Store.