Local organizations need your help to make Christmas special for those in need
Some of the Toys for Tots collected in Manchester in a previous year. Photo courtesy of Jeff Mann.
With snow on the ground and chill in the air, it is not hard to start thinking about Christmas shopping and the perfect gifts for loved ones. Imagine how stressful this time of year can be for a parent who recently had their hours cut back, or for seniors living on a fixed income, orÌýfor families just barely scrapping by. Multiple organizations in Manchester work every year to make sure everyone can have a merry Christmas and all of them could use your help!
Toys for Tots drop-off location sign at the post office.
Toys for Tots is a national organization that has been distributing toys to children in need since 1947.ÌýManchester’s Toys for Tots operates independently from the Washtenaw County’s Toys for Tots collections with all toys collected in Manchester, distributed back to children in Manchester. Last year 305 toys were collected and donated. Since 2004 when organizer Jeff Mann started working on this, 4,804 toys have been collected.ÌýToys for Tots boxes will be going out this week, by Friday at the latest. BoxesÌýwill be located at Manchester True Value Hardware,ÌýAsh Auto, theÌýManchester District Library,ÌýManchester Pharmacy,ÌýOld National Bank,ÌýLinda Diner, andÌýManchester Township Office. To donate, place a new, unwrapped toy in a box. The final pickup day will be Thursday, December 20th.ÌýIf youÌýneed toy assistance this year, call 734-428-8122 and leave a message.
The Manchester District Library located at 912 City Road isÌýholding a hat and mitten tree this year. TheyÌýwill be putting up aÌýtree up in the library after Thanksgiving and accepting donations ofÌýthe hats and gloves which will go to the Community Resource Center. The Library will also be collecting personal care items and cleaning supplies for the Community Resource Center during this time in a box next to the tree. The last day for the collection of items at the library isÌýDecember 15th and they will beÌýdistributed to Community Resource Center clients December 17th – 21st.
New this year, The Shoppes of Alber’s Mill located on the corner of Adrian Street and Main Street will be partnering with the Community Resource Center to create a Giving Tree.ÌýThe Giving Tree will be located at the Mill and will have ornaments listingÌýkitchen utensils and small appliances requested by the Community Resource Center’sÌýfood pantry customers. To participate, you will be able to select an ornament, purchase the needed item, and return it to underneath the tree as a gift. The gifts will be distributed to the customers who made the requests.ÌýThe Giving Tree shouldÌýbe up this weekend and will be up until December 15th.
The Manchester Family Services organizesÌýan annual Christmas Project.ÌýThrough the project they are able to coordinate the efforts of donors in the community to provide gifts, food, warm clothing and other items to those theyÌýserve byÌýdistributing donated items at their annual Christmas Shop on Saturday, December 22 from 9am toÌýnoon at the cafeteria in the Riverside Intermediate School located at 710 E. Main.Ìý If you would like to donate items this year, bring items to Riverside onÌýFriday, December 21 between 12:30pm and 5pm.Ìý·¡nter through the outside door from the parking lot in front.ÌýThere will be signage to direct you. The Christmas Project is looking for donations ofÌýcoats, boots, sweaters, hats and gloves, as well as toys and household items such as sheets, towels, blankets, dishes, kitchen items and Christmas decorations. Groceries (no glass containers please) and paper products will also be welcomed.ÌýPlease, no clothing or shoes, other than what has been specified.
Manchester’s Cub Scout Pack 421 will be collectingÌýcanned goods, personal care and cleaning items as part of their Annual Scouting for Food event to benefitÌýManchester Family Service’sÌýAnnual Christmas Shop. On November 25th, Cub Scouts will deliverÌýpaper bags and instructions to homes in the Village. On December 2nd, Cub Scouts will return to pick up donated items. Just leave the bag with donated items on your porch by 9 am. The Cub Scouts will be collecting in person onÌýSat, December 1st from 10 am to 2 pm and Sun, December 2nd from noon to 4 pm in the parking lots at Dollar General and Manchester Market. They will also have two convenient food collection drop box locations: at Andrews Family Chiropractic from Nov. 19th – Dec. 2nd and atÌýSharon United Methodist Church on December 1st during the Christmas in the Village craft show. Please, no glass containers or expired items.
Manchester Family Services also organizes a Christmas AdoptingÌýproject for organizations, local businesses and families or individuals that wish to enter into the spirit of giving by purchasing gifts for aÌýsenior, single, or family in our community that has indicated they’d like to be adopted. If you are interested in adopting a family for Christmas contactÌýJohn Sahakian at 734-428-7183 or emailÌýmanchesterfamilyservice@gmail,com.
If you are interested in adopting aÌýsenior or single, contactÌýMarlene Uphaus at 734-428-8403 or email, muphaus@aol.com.ÌýInformation on gender, age and gift ideas for each individual as well as a suggested range of spending is available.ÌýGifts should not be wrapped andÌýcan be brought to the Art Room at the Riverside Intermediate School on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 18 & 19 between the hours of 4 andÌý7 pm.ÌýThe Art Room is on the west side of the building, just south and west of the gym.ÌýThe outside door is on the west side of the building facing the driveway that goes to the rear parking lot.
Manchester Family Services preparing the Christmas Shop a few years ago when it was held in St. Mary’s Parish Center.
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