Angel trees (10/28/04)

The Angel Tree Committee is once again planning the Christmas Angel Tree Project. In 2003 we were able to serve more than 500 children and families, with the help of donations from organizations and businesses such as yours. Also in 2003 we were able to provide 70-plus food boxes for the elderly, whom are often forgotten at the Christmas season, and we plan to provide food boxes for them once again this year.

We are planning for the necessity to serve even more families, children and the elderly in 2004 as the employment situation in Jay County and the state of the economy as a whole has caused families to struggle to meet even their everyday basic needs.

We will be distributing applications through Jay County schools, local churches, Community and Family Services, and township trustees, attempting to reach all the needy families in the Jay County area. We are certain the Angel Tree will be full of names of deserving youngsters.

We have instituted some new practices to better serve the families according to their individual needs, and we have developed a process for families and other individuals to provide suggestions on how the committee can better serve our community.

It is important to stress that in the rare instances where any items or funds were not used for Christmas they have been, and will continue to be, given to the food bank, Pregnancy Care Center, schools and other organizations that directly assist Jay County citizens.

Please make plans to help us make this another great year. You can help put a smile on some of our own and make your heart smile, too, by giving to others. Checks can be made payable to The Angel Tree Project and mailed to The Angel Tree Project, c/o Kay Strausburg, P.O. Box 709, Portland, IN, 47371.

Applications from families are currently being taken and will be taken until Nov. 8, 2004.

Thank you for your support.

In the spirit of giving,

The Angel Tree Committee — Kay Strausburg, chairman, Tami Mann and Cathy Smith

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