Christmas is the time for giving. While many of us are fortunate to be working, there are many more who are hurting this season. Mary families are needing assistance for the very first time. There are many ways to help others have a happy holiday season.
The City of Crown Point, Taft Middle School and Timothy Ball Elementary School have are cosponsoring a City Food Drive. Nonperishable food items, personal care items and monetary donations will be equally divided among the food pantries at St. Matthias Church, St Mary Church, Holy Spirit Church, First Presbyterian Church, the Community Cupboard and the Center TownshipTrustee's Office.
The city will accept donations of nonperishable items at the Crown Point Parks and Recreation Department Office, 1313 E. North St.; City Hall, 101 N. East St., and the Police Department, 126 N. East St.
Timothy Ball students are working to collect nonperishable food and personal hygiene items, while Taft students are competing in a Coin Wars race. Seven teams are competing to collect as many turkey feathers as possible. Teams earn a feather for each $10 that they collect. The money will be used to purchase nonperishable food items.
The collection ends Dec. 18. For more information, contact Jennifer Young at (219) 662-3290 or jenyoung@crownpoint.in.gov.
Toys for Tots
The U.S Marine Corps is collecting new Toys for Tots. This annual collection helps children all over Northwest Indiana. There are collection bins for new, unwrapped toys at Crown Point’s Police Station, in the foyer of City Hall, the lower level shoppes of the Old Lake County Court House, at the Crown Point Community Library and at First Financial Bank, 936 N. Main St.
Toys will be collected until Dec. 13 and distributed the week of Dec. 21.
Mitten Tree
Patrons visiting the Crown Point Community Library are welcome to bring new mittens, hats, gloves, and scarves to decorate the Mitten Tree. Items will be distributed mid-December.
Toys for hospitalized children
Figurski Allstate Insurance Agency is collecting new and like-new toys until Dec. 18 to benefit the children at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. For more information, call (219) 662-9350.
Letters from Santa
To make a child’s holiday special, bring them to the rotunda in the lower Courthouse Shoppes on the square to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus from noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 19 and Sunday, Dec. 20. Parents are welcome to bring a camera.
There is still time for children living in the city of Crown Point to write Santa a letter and receive a personal reply.
Forms are available from the parks department, 1313 E. North St. or online at crownpoint.in.gov. Forms must be returned by Dec. 17. If unsure of residency, call (219) 661-2271 to confirm.
Christmas party
Crown Point Community Library's Youth Department will host a Christmas Party at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Dec. 16 and 17 for the little ones. Registration is required at the Youth Services Desk or online at lakenetnwi.net/member/crownpointlibrary.
Do you have news to share about Crown Point? Call Kathy at (219) 663-5389 or e-mail kklessner@yahoo.com.
