It is that time again for the many elves across Stanly County to venture out into the community and spread Christmas cheer to the many people who need a little help this holiday season.

I sent out requests a little earlier this year for our Santa wish lists from local organizations.

However, I did not receive as big a response as I have in past years.

This either means people have not got into Christmas buying mode yet, or that the need is not as great this year.

I doubt either of those are the answer.

So I’m going to present the requests I have received so far, and if more come in I will give an update.

* * *

CARE Cafe is asking for donations to fill stockings for participants of the day program.

Some of their favorite items are candy (especially chocolate), nuts, fruit, candy canes, socks, gloves, lotion and Christmas knick knacks.

They also enjoy word find puzzle books and devotion books.

Please contact Sandra at 704-986-2273 to schedule a time to drop off donations.

Thanks so much.

Sandra B. Nance
Director of CARE, Inc.

* * *

Hospice of Stanly & the Uwharrie would love to have the funds to purchase Christmas poinsettias.

We could share the poinsettias with all of our patients and their families.

Many patients just can’t decorate anymore, and we feel everyone should be able to have something to remind them of the holiday season.

Poinsettias are traditional Christmas plants and would be a way to give our patients some Christmas cheer.

Since 1981, Hospice of Stanly & the Uwharrie has cared for patients and their families with compassionate care, enabling them to embrace the end of life with courage, dignity and peace.

Beth Plowman
Community
Outreach Manager
Hospice of Stanly
& the Uwharrie
Albemarle
704-983-4216

* * *

Below is a list of items from Monarch:

Monarch Group Homes: Personal care and hygiene items (soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo/conditioner, etc.), gift cards for haircuts, fluffy socks and slippers, mind games like Scrabble, crossword puzzles, find-a-word puzzles and Sudoku;

Monarch’s SIS Day Program: Wireless microphone/speaker set; Art supplies: Modge Podge, construction paper, paint, aprons, canvases, paint brushes, colored pencils, poster board, games, Wii Sports video games, board games, indoor Nerf basketball game, velcro dart board.

Laurie A. Weaver,
senior director of
philanthropy, Monarch,
350 Pee Dee Ave., Ste. A
Albemarle
704-986-1536

* * *

We would love to ask Santa for gift cards (any for groceries) or $10 increments for gas for clients. This is something that we always have a need for.

Donna Miller,
director,
Esther House
704-961-7502

* * *

Santa, please send us volunteers to help in our ReStore and on our building site.

We can always use office supplies and general maintenance items to help keep our store clean and tidy.

Most of all your monetary contributions allow us to build more homes in our community.

We are not greedy, anything you can do would be great appreciated.
Cemita Gibbs
Habitat For Humanity
Albemarle
704-985-1050

* * *

I would be happy to include something for our clients. I actually had staff thinking before you sent something out.

Things that we came up with were warm socks, gift cards to grocery store and help with their heating bills.

Becky Weemhoff,
director,
Stanly County
Senior Services
283 N. Third St.
Albemarle

* * *

If you are not able to help out with the above, try to help out another organization or provide help to a family in need this Christmas.

There is also still time to donate to the SNAP’s giving tree in support of Helping Hands and Stanly Community Christian Ministry.

We have a few items under the tree, but we still are in need of new, unwrapped toys and nonperishable food items. The deadline for donating is Friday. But SCCM is in need of items throughout the year, so if you can’t get here contact SCCM at 704-982-7915.

As always, I would love to find out if these wishes are granted. So if you receive your donations, snap a couple photos (pun intended) and send them to bj.drye@stanlynewspress.com. We may run a couple of them with an update after Christmas.

Thanks for your support.

And if you see Santa before I do, tell him I’ve been good this year.

B.J. Drye is editor of The Stanly News & Press. Contact him at 704-982-2123, bj.drye@stanlynewspress.com or follow bjdrye1 on Twitter.