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Monday, 19 November 2007 |
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By Debbie Murphy
Special to The Inyo Register 11-17-2007Time for Time for
It’s a tradition – right after Halloween, children start their Christmas wish lists and Inyo Mono Advocates for Community Action starts organizing its annual Holiday Wish Tree Program.
The program, sponsored by the Bishop Sunrise Rotary Club, gives local residents the opportunity to play Santa Claus for children under age 13 throughout Inyo County as well as Benton and Chalfant. Last year, nearly 700 bags of toys and clothing were delivered by IMACA staff and volunteers.
“The holidays can be tough for lower-income families,” said Cynthia Valdivia, program coordinator. “Santa and the Wish Tree’s criteria for gifts is just ‘naughty or nice’ and we haven’t found a naughty child in Inyo County yet.”
Applications are now available at IMACA’s Bishop office at 224 S. Main and the Lone Pine Head Start office at 120 S. Main St. Income-eligible families list their children’s age and gender and provide wish list items and clothing sizes. Dec. 3 is the due date for returning the applications; gift deliveries will be made Dec. 21. “Residents can also call the office at 873-8557 and we can mail the application,” Valdivia said. Each child’s information is then transferred to a Christmas bulb.
Beginning Nov. 19, Wish Trees, adorned with child/bulbs, will be on display at The Inyo Register, Alta One and Mountain Light Gallery in Bishop, the Thomas Gallery, sponsored by the Big Pine Chamber of Commerce, and the Big Pine and Independence Chamber of Commerce offices. County Santas select a bulb and head to the stores. Unwrapped gifts and the bulb have to be returned to the Wish Tree site where the bulb was picked up by Dec. 14.
“Year after year, the community really steps up for the Wish Tree Program,” said Valdivia. “In addition to those who shop for individual children, people come into the office with cash donations, store gift cards and new toys and clothing.” Another option for organizations is to adopt a whole family. One year, a local club adopted a family of five. “The family had an infant with heart problems and were driving back and forth to a Los Angeles area hospital, really taking a toll on their holiday spirit. The club provided gifts, clothing and store cards for the whole family,” Valdivia said.
For more information on Adopt-a-Family or the Wish Tree Program, contact Valdivia at 873-8557. |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 29 January 2008 )
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