Community responds to giving programs

Greybull and the surrounding communities opened their hearts and wallets in support of the giving programs geared to ensuring that every resident, young and old alike, can have a happy holiday.The 36 names of residents at the Bonnie Bluejacket Memorial Nursing Home and Wyoming Retirement Center who are cut off from family and friends, were quickly taken. A spokesman said the gifts must be returned by today (Thursday, Dec. 19) for distribution this week.Kathy Smith said volunteers were “thrilled” at the response to the Salvation Army drive outside the Herb Asp Community Center Dec. 7 in conjunction with the annual bazaar. The community dropped $711.25 into the familiar black kettle. The Salvation Army was also out in force for Saturday’s Holidazzle. Smith said, “That turned out very good.” The donations from that had not been totaled as of Monday afternoon.Smith said from the “black kettle” donations, 10 percent is tithed to the Salvation Army headquarters in Denver. Every penny beyond the 10 percent is used locally. Donations, accepted year-round, can be mailed to: Salvation Army, Box 495, Greybull, WY 82426, or left with Smith at Greybull City Hall.As for the Toys for Tots, Shopko has emptied its drop bins several times and reported “people, our customers, have been very generous.”Big Horn Rural Electric in Basin was also a drop site for Toys for Tots, and reports a good response there as well. Anyone wishing to donate new toys and gifts for children birth through their teens must do so before the end of the week.The Food Pantry at the Community Outreach thrift shop in Greybull can always use donations of non-perishable food. Especially useful are canned meats, macaroni and cheese, easy-to-fix meals, canned fruit and paper products. With the onset of cold weather, and the holidays just around the corner, needs multiply and shelves can be depleted quickly.Items can be taken to the Food Pantry Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursdays.Donations to the Community Christmas Baskets fund have traditionally been very generous, and this year is no exception. Names are still being gathered of people in need of baskets, which will be distributed Dec. 22.If you know of a family who is in need of help, contact Sherri Wilkinson or the Greybull Elks Lodge, 765-2500.BPOE 1431 coordinates effort in conjunction with Ron’s Food Farm. Baskets include everything from meat to dessert.