The New Era
A variety of opportunities to contribute to holiday happiness for local children are available in Sweet Home.
Both the Sweet Home Police Department and the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District have begun their annual Christmas tree gifts-for-children programs.
The fire department’s Christmas for Kids Sharing Tree Program focuses on children from infants to 12 years old, while the Police Department ‘s Teen Blue Santa Christmas Tree serves young people ages 13-17, and up to 18 if actively enrolled and attending school.
SHFAD Sharing Tree
Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District’s Christmas for Kids Sharing Tree Program is under way while Sweet Home Emergency Ministry will be coordinating its Christmas Food Basket programs during the upcoming holiday season.
The Sharing Tree toy program matches children with donors who provide gifts for them. Names of children and needy families are written on tags that are then placed on the tree. Those who desire to help those in need are asked to come to the Fire Station at 1099 Long St., and choose a name or names from the tree. Purchase the item(s) on the tag, wrap the gifts, and then return them to the Fire Department by Dec. 12.
Individuals or families who wish to have a child’s name placed on the “Christmas Sharing Tree” must fill out a request form that can be picked up at the Sweet Home Fire and Amulance District office at 1099 Long St. Forms must be returned to the fire department by Friday, Nov. 27.
Those requesting gifts will be able to pick them up Dec. 18 and 19.
Forms for the Christmas Food Basket need to be picked up at SHEM at 1115 Long St. Food baskets will be prepared in time for delivery before Christmas. SHEM accepts cash, clothing and non-perishable food items.
Cash donations to the “Christmas for Kids Sharing Tree” toy program may be made at the Fire and Ambulance District office at 1099 Long St. between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. All cash donations will be used to purchase toys and needed clothing for local children.
For more information call the SHFAD district office at (541) 367-5882.
Blue Santa for Teens
Sweet Home Police Department is offering a teen Blue Santa Christmas tree again this year.
The program serves children ages 13 to 17 The Teen Blue Santa Christmas tree has been set up in the SHPD lobby. Those wishing to take a star off the tree and shop for a local teen are welcome to purchase, wrap and deliver a gift no later than Dec. 8 to ensure prompt delivery to the teenage recipient before Christmas.
Applications will be accepted through Dec. 1 for children and families who may need a little help this Christmas season. Applications may be picked up at police dispatch, or they can be mailed or emailed to applicants.
To qualify, recipients must live in, be enrolled in and actively attending school in the Sweet Home School District. They must live with the parent/guardian/person completing the application.
Only one request form per address will be accepted.
SHPD coordinates with the SHFAD, so as to avoid doubling up on families.
The parent or guardian of each recipient will be notified, and wrapped presents will be delivered to the teen’s home the week of Christmas by police officers and SHPD’s Santa Blue in a police vehicle. Arrangements can be made to pick up at the police department.
For more information on the teen tree, contact Gina at (541) 367-5181.
Kids Christmas Free Store
The Committee for Christmas in Sweet Home is collecting gifts for its third annual Kids Christmas Free Store.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Evangelical Church gym, 1347 Long St.
Children 12 and under will be able to select gifts, at no cost, for members of their family. Individuals and businesses contribute cash to purchase or items for the store. Children will be helped shopping and then have their gift wrapped. They will then take the presents home and put under the tree. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided for the children as they wait to shop.
Donations of unwrapped and new gifts, under $10, for any age and gender, tissue and gift bags will be accepted through Thursday, Dec. 7. Items may be dropped off at Santiam Variety Discount Store in the Safeway shopping center, Trash to Treasure at 1023 Main St., the Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce on Main Street, or the Evangelical Church on Long Street.
Volunteer help is needed. For more information or to volunteer, contact Nancy Patton at (541) 409-4276.
CASA Pajama Drive
Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children would like to provide new pajamas for children living in foster care this Holiday season.
All sizes needed for children, ages birth to 18 years old. Donations should be dropped off by Friday, Dec. 8, at Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, 1575 Main St., from 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday.
For more information, call CASA of Linn County at (541) 967-2651.