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Gift-giver groups try to hang on this year
More needy children expected at Christmas
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Published: November 15, 2009
NORTH WILKESBORO
People who run Christmas programs in Wilkes County that provide presents to children in need know that the next few weeks will be rough.
The bad economy is one reason. The other is the disbanding of Christmas in Wilkes, which had provided Christmas gifts to children in Wilkes for the past 13 years, including nearly 1,400 children last year.
The handful of volunteers couldn't keep up anymore, and closed down the nonprofit agency earlier this year.
The Care Connection, Wilkes Ministry of Hope and The Salvation Army of Wilkesboro, which all have operated their own Christmas programs, are cooperating to make sure no child in Wilkes County goes without a gift.
Karen McNeil of the Care Connection, a United Way-funded agency that provides information and crisis referral, said she's wondering how many parents will apply for help.
"Oh, I'm holding my breath," she said.
The Salvation Army has finished its application process and has 400 names of children for Angel Trees.
Wilkes Ministry of Hope, a program of the Brushy Mountain Baptist Association, has more than 1,200 names of children for its wish trees. Last year, the ministry had 400 names.
The Care Connection, which has not had an application system in past years, will start accepting applications Monday. It will collect names next week, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Nov. 30-Dec. 4 and Dec. 7-11.
Last year, Care Connection helped 333 children.
"When they come in and say we can live without toys, but we really need underwear and socks, you really feel bad," McNeil said. "You know there's a need there."
John Triplett, the director of Wilkes Ministry of Hope (Helping Other People Excel), said the agency operates a toy store that allows parents to shop for 10 cents on the dollar, buying $60 worth of toys for $6.
"We're looking to try our best to give people a sense of self-esteem rather than a handout," he said. "Of course, there will be some who can't afford even the $6 and we just let them shop for free."
Care Connection is housed at the Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission's main office in North Wilkesboro. BROC provides food, rent money, help with power bills and other assistance.
As a crisis-assistance and referral agency, Care Connection may send people to BROC, to churches and other places.
McNeil, who has been director of Care Connection for 7 years, said she used to get about 300 calls a month. Now, it's more like 450 or so.
The line outside the BROC office typically stretches out the building the first few days of the month now. Churches are more heavily involved in accepting referrals than they used to be.
mmitchell@wsjournal.com | 667-5691
To help, call Care Connection at 667-7174; or Wilkes Ministry of Hope at 903-1414; or The Salvation Army of Wilkesboro at 838-1145.
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