Philomath Community Services is looking for sponsors and donors to help local families through its annual Holiday Cheer program, which provides grocery gift cards and gifts for children age 18 and younger.
Cynthia Ferguson, the program’s manager, said sponsors who sign up will receive general information about a child, including age range, gender or pronouns and interests, to guide their purchases. Donors can sponsor one child or several, or contribute a gift of any amount.
“This program is very special and close to my heart, and I’m so thankful to live in a place that helps it thrive every year,” Ferguson wrote in an announcement.
The program is changing its approach this year. Instead of sponsors filling a specific child’s list, parents and guardians will be invited to come in and shop for their own children from the donated items. Sponsors are asked to buy gifts that fit the information they’re given or to choose items from the program’s Amazon wish list, which ships directly to Community Services.
Because families will be doing the shopping, organizers ask that donated gifts not be wrapped. Parents and guardians can wrap the items themselves or get help from volunteers on shopping day.
The program is seeking comfort items such as stuffed animals and blankets, as well as clothing, books, games and age-appropriate toys.
Donors who shop on their own can bring gifts to the Philomath Community Services building, 360 S. Ninth St., on Gift Drop Off Day, set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Weekday drop-offs are available by appointment by calling 541-929-2499.
For more information or to sign up as a sponsor, contact Ferguson at 541-740-8223 or holidaycheer@philomathcommunityservices.org.