LARNED — The Fort Larned Lions Christmas Basket Project enters its 38th year of service to those families and individuals in need in Pawnee County.
The Fort Larned Lions Club members provides food baskets. Business partners Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Auxiliary and Larned USD 495 students help provide toys for all children ages 12-and-under and clothing to children ages 13-and-under.
The Fort Larned Lions Club members begin gathering names in October. Members visit people to start the selection process with the goal of completing the interview process prior to Nov. 17. Nov. 17 is the date of the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Auxiliary Coffee Hour where the community is invited to select Angels from the Angel Tree and donate clothing items.
Names of families or individuals who may qualify for assistance are collected from 2010 recipients as well as from community organizations and individuals. Names or families of individuals can still be submitted.
Each family is interviewed and asked if they want a basket or need assistance in 2011. There were 108 family names turned in so far from 2010. These names are checked for correct addresses and information on family members concerning income, need, number of people in the household, special diet requirements, ages and gender of any children as well as clothing sizes and hobbies.
The Fort Larned Lions Club members prepare the deliveries Dec. 17 at Carr Auction and deliveries are made from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 18 to Larned, Burdett and Garfield. Volunteer help is needed on both of those days, according to Steven Lewis, Lions Club member.
To volunteer Dec. 17 or Dec. 18, or to donate to this project contact Lion Steven Lewis, 620-285-1609; or e-mail shadow67550@yahoo.com. Cash donations may be sent to the Fort Larned Lions Club Christmas, P.O. Box 205, Larned, KS, 67550.
The families are informed whether they meet the income requirements and advised as to delivery dates (1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 18) for the baskets.
The Fort Larned Lions Club members will not leave baskets if no one is at home. If they cannot be at home at the delivery date, then the recipient will need to make other arrangements ahead of time for delivery.