For the week of December 10 - 16, 2003

’Tis the season for helping hands

Charities and non-profit groups offer new ideas for gifts

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By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

In the spirit of the holiday season, there are many ways to give back to the community and to the needy in general during the next few weeks.

Gift memberships can be obtained to many organizations, donations can be made in a loved one’s name to charities, or toys or food can be donated to one of the following Wood River Valley entities.

 

KidShop meals

The two Blaine County School District child care units—Hailey and Bellevue—are helping 20 local families with their holiday meals by providing a five- to eight-pound ham, two boxes of scalloped potatoes, dinner rolls, butter, apples, oranges, bananas, pie and Cool Whip. They do have some items, but would like to encourage the community to please call and see what else they need as the holidays continue. Last day to donate is Dec. 22. Details: Diane Hassall 788-0931.

 

YAK! and Company of Fools

A toy drive is being held at the Friday, Dec. 12, and Saturday, Dec. 13, performances of "The Gift of the Magi". The toys will be given to Community Holiday Baskets and the St. Luke's Center for Community Health. People who attend those performances are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys for kids of any age. There will be complementary hot chocolate and ginger snaps provided. In addition, cash will be collected after the show to support Community Holiday Baskets. Details: Angenie McCleary 727-8735.

 

The Great Reindeer Hunt on Skis for Charity

A brand new event for children and teens in the Wood River Valley benefits four youth organizations. Teresa Gregory of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church and Susan Springer of St. Thomas Episcopal Church organized this nondenominational event. The Great Reindeer Hunt on Skis for Charity takes place on Bald Mountain Saturday, Dec. 20, and is open to all students in elementary, middle, or high school.

The Great Reindeer Hunt on Skis for Charity is a great way to kick-off the school Christmas vacation. Details: Springer at 726-5349 ext. 10 susanspringer@cox-internet.com or Gregory at 622-3432 or olsp3432@aol.com.

 

The Community Holiday Baskets

Organized by Sawtooth Board of Realtors, with assistance by the Ketchum Sun Valley Rotary Club, Interact, ELF, YAK, Blaine County Probation and others. Cash donations can be sent to Sawtooth Board of Realtors, Box 1937, Ketchum, ID, 83340. Nonperishable food items can be delivered to Amerititle, Blaine County Title, First American Title, or Sun Valley Title at their Ketchum or Hailey offices. Most valley banks are also collection points. Details: Rick Davis 7272-7728, Janine Bear 720-1254, Bud Bolan 727-9145.

 

Idaho Family Operation Wish List

Help by donating books at the Hailey Public Library through Dec. 20.

 

Starbucks

The Starbucks coffee shop on Main Street in Ketchum is collecting unwrapped toys to send to the Starlight Children’s Foundation, which in turn will distribute the toys to terminally ill children in regional hospitals. Starlight is a Los Angeles-based international nonprofit organization. Bring unwrapped, appropriate toys into the store. For more information, call Nelson at 726-3982.

 

Gift Memberships and donations

A gift of an Environmental Resource Center membership helps to support the proactive organization. It also means a year of free and discounted programs, subscription to the ERC’s newsletter, "local dirt" and other great benefits.

A Peak Bus pass can help people get around the valley without the use of a car.

Alos, $25 will pay for an hour of nursing care through the Hospice of the Wood River Valley.

A donation to the Animal Shelter of Wood River Valley helps homeless pets.

Other organizations to which donations can be made in someone else’s name include Camp Rainbow Gold, Expedition Inspiration, Sun Valley Adaptive Sports, The Campfire Foundation, Blaine County Senior Center or YAK!, the Youth Adult Konnection.

 

Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley

The 15th Annual Stay at Home Fundraising Event for the Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley is one less party but a great way to donate to support the homeless animals of the valley. The shelter takes in hundreds of lost, abandoned or neglected animals each year and relies on the public’s generosity to continue their mission. For more information on this fundraiser, contact the shelter at 788-4351.

 

Festival of Trees

The annual holiday festival features decorated trees donated by business and organizations around the valley, wreaths, a gift shop and special events, like the fabulous Teddy Bear Tea Party, for kids and families. It runs from Thursday to Sunday. All proceeds benefit Blaine County Senior Connection. Details: Shirley Spinelli 788-3034 or Blaine County Senior Connection 788-3468.

 

Giving Tree

Chapter One Bookstore in Ketchum has a tree with wish lists gathered from organizations such as Head Start and the Silver Creek Alternative School.

 

Head Start

The Head Start program in the Wood River Valley will hold it’s annual fund-raising raffle Friday, Dec. 19.

Tickets will be sold by students and their parents at the William’s Market, Albertson’s, Valley Market and both Atkinsons’ grocery stores Friday, Dec. 12, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. There will be a variety of prizes available, all of which have been donated by local businesses and citizens.

For more information or to help, call Melissa Olson at 788-0082.

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.