ENTERPRISE -- Once again, the Enterprise Elks are partnering with more than a dozen local organizations to help ensure that those in need will have a good Christmas meal and presents for the kids.
Every year, organizations throughout the Wallowa Valley, from 4-H, FFA and FFCLA, to the VFW, the granges, Community Connection and other public organizations, along with individuals, put together food baskets containing a basic Christmas dinner and gifts for kids 17 or younger, to be distributed throughout the community.
The Tree of Giving is organized by the county Department of Youth Services and the Enterprise Flower Shop. The tree is set up at the Flower Shop at 108 S. River St. in Enterprise, and gift suggestions for different sized families hang on the tree for shoppers to pick from. Anyone can stop in and choose a tag from the tree and provide a gift, or gifts.
Bring gifts unwrapped but in a gift bag with the appropriate tag attached to the gift. This ensures the right gifts get to the right families.
Families or individuals who wish to be a recipient for the Elks Christmas Basket and Tree of Giving program must apply for a basket. Christmas Basket forms are available at Community Connection, Enterprise, Joseph or Wallowa city halls, Building Healthy Families or the Wallowa County Sheriff's Office.
Requests can be emailed to dys@co.wallowa.or.us.
They are also available on the Tree of Giving and Elks Christmas Basket Facebook page. The forms can also be mailed to the lodge, at Elks Lodge: P.O. Box K, Enterprise, OR 97828 or emailed to the lodge at bpoe1829@gmail.com.
Elks members along with community volunteers will deliver the baskets on the morning of Friday, Dec. 20. Anyone who wishes to help with deliveries should be prepared at the lodge by 9 a.m. The lodge is at 211 W. North St. in Enterprise.
Pam Latta will coordinate the gifts for adult care residents' program, in which every resident in the county adult care facilities will receive a gift. Last year, about 100 adult care residents received gifts.
Contact Randy Morgan at 541-263-0327 or email at bpoe1829@gmail.com, if you wish to help, or have any questions about the program.
As costs rise, and more people than ever are needing help, organizers welcome any donations toward the Christmas Baskets. Those who wish to make a monetary donation, or donate a specific food item to the Elks Christmas Basket program may do so by sending a check to Elks Christmas Basket Program, BPOE 1829, P.O. Box K, Enterprise, OR 97828.
Any food items left over will be donated to the Wallowa County Food Bank at Community Connection.