Meeker County Holiday Project Underway

The 49th annual Meeker County Holiday Project is underway as money and toys are collected to help local families have a better Christmas. For many of those years, Center Bank in Litchfield has been collecting toys and cash to help in the effort.

Loree Schultz says this is the 36th year that Center Bank has been part of the Meeker County Holiday Project and they’ve helped approximately 18,000 children from 7,300 families with cash donations – at the bank alone – of about $33,000 and collected about $400,000 worth of toys. She says no donation is too small and they can use toys and gifts for all ages up to 16-years.

Schultz says the bank provides a $1,000 match and they use that money to buy extra gifts to fill in the gaps and they are collecting through December 15th at 5 p.m. She says donations may be dropped off at Center Bank weekdays from 9-to-5 and they can be dropped off on Saturday mornings if you make arrangements ahead of time – or knock on the door.

Rochelle Brummond says she already has about 200 children on her list this year as she gets referrals – mostly from the school – of families who could use some extra help, and the donations are starting to come in too. She says the Meeker County Holiday Project also helps to get food vouchers for families to make a holiday meal; they deliver food baskets to elderly residents who may be struggling; and they help others, such as residents of group homes.

Brummond says they will be setting up a store for their clients on December 15th in the basement of First Lutheran Church in Litchfield, and then the families can pick out toys for their children December 16th and 17th. She says if anyone has questions, they may call her at 320-693-7911, extension 1401 or stop at 409 North Sibley Avenue in Litchfield.