Christmas Gifts brings another year of holiday spirit to Cheney families

By BECKY THOMAS

Staff Reporter

Eighty-seven Cheney families have gifts for 204 children this holiday, thanks to the annual Christmas Gifts for Cheney Kids program.

With more needy people than last year signing up to receive free gifts, organizer Sally Shamp said area residents stepped up, donating 480 gifts and 350 books to go under Christmas trees throughout the community. The gifts, along with warm clothes and accessories, were distributed Dec. 17. Shamp said many people rely on the program as the only way to give gifts to their children, and they're dedicated to picking the best gifts.

“They'll show up 30 minutes early and wait outside,” she said Dec. 16, as volunteers were organizing the gifts onto tables at the United Church of Christ. “It's just nice to help these people out.”

Shamp said they posted fliers at local shops requesting new gifts to be donated to kids in need, as well as spreading the word through local churches. Gifts for teens were especially needed, as Shamp said they always run out of those age-appropriate gifts.

Recipients of the Christmas Gifts for Cheney Kids have to be under a certain income level to receive the gifts, and Cheney Outreach verified incomes.

Outreach also received 35 boxes full of coats, hoodies, gloves, hats and socks as well as seven dozen fleece blankets, all donated from retailer Zumiez Dec. 16, just in time for the gifts distribution. Outreach coordinator Carol Beason said many of the coats and sweatshirts were in adult sizes and would be given away to those who needed them throughout the winter.

Shamp said the program wouldn't happen without community help, and she thanked the 21 businesses, churches and other groups that gave donations.

“It's really a group effort,” she said.

Becky Thomas can be reached at [email protected].