A season of giving

Local organizations are gearing up to make the holiday season brighter. Most report that because of the economy, there’s more of a demand for their services. Either gifts or cash donations are appreciated.

Firefighter’s Toy Box

The Firefighter’s Toy Box Drive serves not only Colfax children but kids all over the county.

“We’re reaching out to every family from Colton and Uniontown to Hay and LaCrosse,” said Ken McNaughton, one of the organizers.

Pullman is not covered by this program because that city is taken care of by the Toys for Tots sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps.

Firefighters report that because of the economy, donations are needed even more.

The toy drive began more than 30 years ago. Firefighters used to put toys on a large table and families picked out one toy for each child.

This year, the format for the Firefighters’s Toy Box changed. Families who visit the toy box are asked to get an application at one of several locations around the county.

Applications can be found at fire departments, library branches and schools.

Deadline to turn in applications is Dec. 7. Distribution from the toy box is scheduled Dec. 16, 17 and 18 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Colfax fire station with each child getting two new toys.

Donations are accepted any time until Christmas.

Make donations to: Volunteer Firemen, Inc., P.O. Box 226, Colfax, WA 99111, or in person at the Colfax Fire Department, 400 N. Mill Street in Colfax.

Library Christmas Book Box

New children’s books are being collected at the Colfax Library.

Books may be dropped off at the donation box next to the main desk by the Boy Scout Christmas tree in the library.

Donated children’s books are taken to the Colfax Fire Department to be included with its annual toy drive.

Whitman Hospital Auxiliary

Whitman Hospital Auxiliary sponsors a Christmas tree decorated with angels each year. Donations for angels are in memory of or in honor of a loved one.

All donations go back to the hospital for equipment, supplies and scholarships.

Donations can be in any amount and are accepted until Christmas.

The angel tree is in the waiting room near the gift shop.

Donations can be mailed to Whitman Hospital Auxiliary, 1200 W. Fairview, Colfax, WA 99111. Include the names of people who should be listed on an angel and who the donor is. Donations also can be made in person at the front desk of the hospital or at the gift shop.

Giving trees for developmentally disabled

The Whitman County Parks and Developmental Services Department, in conjunction with DreamWorks Inc., LMK Inc., Boost Collaborative, Himark Transport Inc. and Paul’s Place, have set up three Giving Trees located at the Whitman County Courthouse in Colfax, Public Service Building in Colfax and the Human Services Building in Pullman.

Gift items requested along with directions are located on the tags. Items collected are distributed to adults residing in Whitman County with developmental disabilities.

Return gift-wrapped items and tags to Whitman County Parks Office in the Public Service Building, 310 N. Main in Colfax, or the Human Services Building, SE 1235 Professional Mall Boulevard in Pullman, no later than Friday, Dec. 13.

Take a moment in the spirit of the season to fill a tag.

For questions, contact Janel Gobel at the Whitman County Parks and Developmental Services Department, 397-6238.

Children’s Christmas Stocking Project

Every Christmas, the Colfax office of the Community Action Center partners with the Council on Aging Nutrition Program to provide holiday food baskets for local families.

The baskets are given to families who meet the criteria for a family in need. Children also receive Christmas stockings.

After learning that the original group couldn’t provide the stockings, volunteers took over the project and are working with Community Action to provide the stockings for the children.

They are asking for sponsors for stockings and donations to fill the stockings.

Volunteers also are needed to stuff the stockings and are invited to the Christmas Stocking Stuffer Extravaganza on Dec. 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Colfax Food Bank. Call the office to volunteer.

Suggested items for stockings include: gift certificates for McDonald’s, candy, gum, small games, craft items or kits, lotions, chapstick, lip gloss, manicure kits, nail polish, brush and comb, hair accessories, stationary, pens and pencils, socks, gloves and mittens, cocoa packets, apple cider packets, cookies, crayons, coloring books, paper dolls, beads, bubbles, puzzles, costume jewelry, shower gels, gifts for teenage girls and boys, blank tablets and magazines.

For more information, call Suzy McNeilly, (509) 397-4305.