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9 easy ways to help the needy this year

Robert C. Reed | Hickory Daily Record

The Salvation Army's Maj. Kent Davis discusses the increasing need for help during the holidays.

By Ragan Robinson | Hickory Daily Record

Published: November 12, 2009

HICKORY - Catawba County's Christmas Bureau is working to raise money and bring in gifts for struggling families this Christmas.

The organization, which brings together area service organizations to assist the most families possible and avoid doubling up on Christmas help, will hold the Christmas Bureau distribution at the American Legion Fairgrounds on Dec. 14 and 15. Families get two new toys for each child, a stocking if enough are available, clothing if it is available in the right size, coats while supplies last and grocery store vouchers for food.

Families chosen for the program meet low-income and expense guidelines set by participating agencies, which include The Salvation Army, The United Way, Christian ministries and others.

Area givers can help in a number of ways.

Donate a coat. Many Catawba County dry cleaners collect and clean coats for families who might go cold otherwise. Collection goes on through the first week of December.

Pick up an angel from a local Angel Tree and provide Christmas gifts for a child ages 12 and younger. If you can't find an Angel Tree, go online to www.jcp.com/angel to pick a child from your area.

Donate to the Teen Christmas program. Gifts or checks designated for Teen Christmas can be dropped off at the United Way, Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry or Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry. For more information, call Sylvia Long at 327-6851.

Give a bike. Families eligible for help from the Christmas Bureau draw for chances to get refurbished bikes every year. Call Hickory Fire Department at 323-7523 for more information.

"Adopt" a family. The United Way can provide the specific needs of a Christmas-Bureau-approved family for church or community groups, or anyone interested in helping. Adopted families don't go to distribution day at the fairgrounds to pick out toys and clothes. Instead, the United Way delivers their gifts. Groups can ask for a family in a specific area or with a specific need.

Contribute to Toys for Tots. As the holiday gets closer, drop-off points will be listed on the Web site www.toysfortots.org. Click on Toy Drop-Offs and follow the directions to find Hickory-area sites. There's also a spot to make donations online.

Volunteer to help shepherd parents through the Christmas Bureau toy shop on Dec. 14 and 15. The need is especially high for bilingual volunteers. It takes about 200 people to guide parents and restock throughout the day. Volunteers can work in shifts. They don't have to devote the whole day to the work. The United Way asks for volunteers who are high school age or older to help out on distribution day. Call Cheryl Abee at 324-4357 to offer time.

Volunteer to set up for Christmas Bureau distribution. "It takes a lot of strong backs," said Maj. Melody Davis of The Salvation Army. Workers will put up tables, hang clothes, stuff stockings and do other prep work Dec. 7 through Dec. 12. Volunteers can work in shifts. The Salvation Army prefers adults and supervised teens for the work. Call 322-8061 for more information.

Give to The Salvation Army bell-ringer. Last year, agencies including The Salvation Army spent an estimated $120,000 providing clothing, stockings, food and other Christmas gifts to families in need, said Maj. Ken Davis. The money that goes into the red kettles helps cover that cost.