Giving Tree deadline is Thursday

Helen Mack, manager of the Jackson's service station in Mountain Home (third from left), is joined by assistant manager Melissa Aberman to present a check to Giving Tree co-chairs Vickie Bermensolo and Lauri Erickson during a meeting Dec. 5. The local service station raised nearly $860 for the community charity during a silent auction that began in November. According to Mack, one of their customers placed a $200 bid on one of the auction items knowing the money would benefit the Giving Tree organization. In 2012, the program provided help to 435 children from 187 families in the Mountain Home area.

As of Monday, the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce's Giving Tree program still had 125 gift wish tags waiting to be picked up and fulfilled by local citizens.

The last day to do so is this Thursday, Dec. 12.

The Giving Tree is an all-volunteer effort that helps hundreds of people in the area receive holiday gifts who probably wouldn't have any this year.

Hosted by the Chamber's Community Activities Committee, Giving Tree volunteers work with local relief agencies to identify families in need of assistance during the holidays.

"Our goal is to provide 'something from Santa' for as many individuals as possible who would not receive anything otherwise," said Giving Tree co-chair Vickie Bermensolo.

While the families also receive some support through the Toys for Tots and the Shop With A Cop programs, the Giving Tree focuses on providing other basic needs, including clothes, personal items and school supplies. In 2012, the program provided help to 435 children from 187 families in the Mountain Home area.

Decorated Giving Trees feature wish-list tags. To participate in the effort, people simply take one of the tags and buy gifts for the individual listed on them.

By accepting a tag, they essentially "adopt" someone for the holidays, according to Bermensolo. In some cases, the generosity of local people allows them to, in essence, "play Santa" to an entire family, she added.

The Giving Tree tags are available at the chamber office, city hall, Paul's Market, Lucky Perk, Home Federal, Grinde's Diner, St. Luke's Elmore medical center, Wal-Mart, both Edward Jones offices, Elmore County Courthouse, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church and Bealls Department Store.

People may drop off their unwrapped donations at the chamber office, Bealls, the Edward Jones office on American Legion Boulevard, Grinde's Diner, Home Federal Bank, Lucky Perk, Paul's Market, St. Luke's Elmore and Wal-Mart.

They may also drop off their gifts at the Giving Tree Workshop, located at the Caldwell Transportation Company, 1050 Sunset Strip. The building will serve as the Giving Tree workshop where volunteers collect, wrap and distribute gifts.

Giving Tree representatives need all gifts by this Thursday, Dec. 12.

In addition, the all-volunteer group needs volunteers to organize and wrap the donated items at the workshop, Bermensolo said. This week, through Friday, volunteers will process the gifts they've received before wrapping them. Volunteers will then buy any additional gifts starting Saturday, Dec. 14, to finalize the requests outlined on the gift tags. Volunteers can sign up by calling the chamber at 587-4334 or by stopping by the workshop.

"The goal is to ensure all the needs are met" for the children, Bermensolo said.

For more information on the Giving Tree program or to make a contribution or donation, contact the Chamber at 587-4334 or the Giving Tree committee via e-mail at MHCGivingTree@yahoo.com.