Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for the many blessings we have. What better way to express gratitude for all you have than by stopping by the Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter office and getting an ornament from the Giving Tree to bless a local child at Christmas.
The ornaments were hung on the tree last week. The tree represents 71 local families with 208 children that have needs this season. Just over 100 of the 206 ornaments on The Giving Tree were checked out from the Mirror-Reporter in its first week on display.
The public is invited to stop in, choose ornaments and shop for a child or entire family. Some ornaments denote the number of persons in the family so that a food gift card may be purchased as a gift. Although toys are always a fun gift, The Giving Tree is primarily intended to help families meet needs. The age of a child, as well as their sizes appear on the ornaments.
Ornaments may be checked out from the Mirror-Reporter office, 12 N. 4th St., between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Wrapped gifts and food cards must be turned in to the Mirror-Reporter no later than noon Wednesday, Dec. 13. Families are then notified when gifts are ready for pick up.
Those choosing not to shop this holiday season might consider making a financial donation to The Giving Tree. Funds will be used to fulfill family needs. Thanks to Share Life, donations of cash and food cards for Giving Tree families are tax-deductible. To make a tax-deductible donation to The Giving Tree, make checks payable to Share Life, with “Giving Tree” noted in the memo. Donations may be dropped off or sent to the Mirror-Reporter office.
Former Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter Publisher Marianne Gasaway is organizing The Giving Tree project for the newspaper. She may be reached at 641-231-1558 to answer questions.
