Forty Shelters and Emergency Rooms Eagerly Awaiting Gifts for Those in Need!

  This Christmas season, Wisconsin  shelters and emergency rooms will protect, counsel and treat thousands of people, of all ages, in need or crisis.  When these people receive a Christmas Care gift, they are reassured that they’re worth being loved and remembered. 
   In the Fox Valley, “The Family” radio stations 91.9/91.5  17th annual Christmas Care shoe box gift drive is now collecting Christmas gifts for people in 40 area shelters and emergency rooms. 
   Area residents, churches, schools, scout troops, and businesses are encouraged to participate by filling wrapped shoe boxes with NEW gifts like toys, mittens, and candy for someone in need.  
   Wrap the top and bottom separately and put a sticker on top listing age and gender of recipient. Take gifts to collection sites before December 9.  
   Last year more than 5,000 gifts were donated to 40  shelters and emergency rooms in east-central and northeast Wisconsin.  NOTE:  There is always a shortage of gifts for teen boys and adult men.
   Here are a few “Thank You” notes received from last year’s recipients:
   “I was still feeling the shock of being in a shelter, but finding a gift with my name on it on Christmas morning really helped me feel at home.  My gift contained a book about a marine and his military dog; for the longest time I volunteered with an animal shelter and I myself am a retired marine.  It made me feel like that gift was made just for me.”  -Todd, age 50, Homeless Connection (formerly Emergency Shelter of the Fox Valley).
   “A mother came in to the ER on Christmas Eve; I asked her if she was ready for Christmas.  ‘Well, as ready as I can be.’  She said she really didn’t have money to buy presents for her children this year. I was able to pack up a gift for each child; even a soft new fleece blanket for her four month old baby.  There were tears of gratitude and relief in her eyes as she accepted the gifts for her children.”   - Bellin Hospital staff.
   Here is a list of Collection Sites: Festival Foods Stores, Culver’s of Darboy and Little Chute, Pet Supplies Plus and Family Christian Stores in Appleton, The Family radio studios.
   More information including a list of suggested gift items can be found online at www.thefamily.net or call 800-236-9364. This service is co-sponsored by Festival Foods Stores, Thrivent Financial, Pet Supplies Plus in Appleton, Culver’s of Darboy & Little Chute, and Fox 11 WLUK.
   Recipient Agencies and Programs include:
FOX CITIES: COTS Transitional Shelters for Men and Women, Circles of Support, Homeless Connections (formerly Emergency Shelter of the Fox Valley), Fox Valley Warming Shelter, Harbor House, Housing Partnership, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Theda Clark Medical Cntr.
CHILTON: Calumet Memorial Medical Cntr., Salvation Army           
OSHKOSH: Aurora Medical Cntr., Christine Ann Cntr., Fr. Carr’s Place 2B, Mercy Medical Cntr., Salvation Army
FOND DU LAC: Agnesian Health Care, Beacon House, Salvation Army, Solutions Cntr. Men’s and Women’s Shelters
GREEN BAY: Aurora Bay Care, Bellin Hospital, Freedom House, House of Hope, NEW Community Shelter, Salvation Army, St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Vincent Hospital
MANITOWOC: Domestic Violence Cntr of Manitowoc Cty., Holy Family Memorial Hospital, Salvation Army     
NEW LONDON: New London Medical Cntr., BABES Respite of New London, Salvation Army
OCONTO: Oconto Hospital (Bellin)
OCONTO FALLS: Community Memorial Hospital
RIPON: Ripon Medical Cntr.
SEYMOUR: Salvation Army Extension
SHAWANO: Shawano Medical Cntr.
TWO RIVERS: Aurora Medical Cntr., Holy Family Memorial
WAUPACA: Riverside Medical Cntr.