Santa's workshop gets ready for Christmas
Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:

With the holiday season right around the corner, The Spirit of Christmas is preparing to enter our seventh year of helping those in need.

Throughout the year we have been collecting and giving all kinds of donations from the generous residents of Winchendon and surrounding towns. Families receiving donations throughout the year feel so grateful with all that we've been able to share as a community. It's amazing how people have come together to help there neighbors. Thank you all for your support over the years. Together we have reached thousands of people in need over the past seven years.

The Spirit of Christmas assists families in Winchendon, Gardner, NH, and other surrounding towns. Clothes have also been sent to a family in Florida and a homeless family in Maine a month ago. There are no boundaries when it comes to helping someone in need. I do believe that we will always have enough to share.

From now until Christmas we will be accepting donations of house hold items, baby supplies, cribs, stroller, double stroller, we have a great need for newborn babies, and kids clothes right now. New and gently used toys and clothes for age 0-18. Kids clothes move very quickly because we have mostly all young families. We won't be taking anymore adult clothes until we get through the holidays.

Please deliver toys clean and with all little pieces together and only gently used. New toys can be left unwrapped, it makes it easier for our elves to see what there looking for. Our elves have a few things on there wish list: wrapping paper, tape, tissue paper, scissors, and fire wood to keep us warm. It get extremely cold out in our workshop come December.

As the years go by the need grows. We never want to turn anyone away. So if you have an office, business, or private group that would like to collect new toys for Christmas that would be the biggest help of all right now. For monetary donations please make checks payable to:

The Spirit of Christmas, Colonial Co-op Bank, School Square, Winchendon, MA 01475.

Far all other donations including time, or if you or a family you know needs some help throughout the year please call Lori Bishop at (978) 297-4287.

Please help bring the spirit of Christmas alive this holiday season and throughout the year. Here are some popular suggestions that the children ask for every year: games, crafts, Bratz, Spiderman, Lego, Kinex, Barbie, Little Pet Shop, Blues Clues, Dara & Diego, Polly Pocket, sporting goods, walkman, perfume, make-up, fishing, gift cards, jewelry, lotion, body wash, anything you think a child may like. Even little things like socks, underwear, pajamas.

After Thanksgiving, Hannaford in Rindge will be collecting under their tree at the check out. Thank you Hannaford for helping us help thousands of children over the years. We couldn't do what we do with out Hannaford and everyone else that helps to keep the Spirit of Christmas alive year after year. Together we do make a difference.

Lori Bishop The Spirit of Christmas