By LINN ANN HUNTINGTON
Special to Hays Post
“It still amazes me how the kids who are shuffled around a lot have never gotten a gift for Christmas or their birthday.”
That is how volunteer Michele Eiland summed up her reason for helping to organize the Christmas gift drive each year for foster children served by St. Francis Ministries in Hays. The gifts go to foster children in Ellis County and across northwest Kansas.
This year that totals around 160 kids, Eiland said. Their ages range from infant to 17. Eiland works with Hays businesses to erect trees containing “wish lists” compiled by the children, their case workers, and their foster parents.
“Many of these kids don’t even know how to make a ‘wish list,’” Eiland said. “They will ask for basic necessities such as toothpaste or socks.”
Their St. Francis case workers and their foster parents gently let them know that it’s OK to ask for special things, such as toys or games, Eiland said.
The Christmas for Kids Trees are located at Golden Belt Bank, 1101 E. 27th; KPRD Praise Radio, 709 Main St.; The Gamers Guild, 200 E. Eighth St.; and Akido of Northwest Kansas, 208 E. Eighth St., #1.
Each wish list card lists the child’s age, gender, and, if clothing is needed, what kind(s) and size(s). Individuals are asked to take a card (or more than one) and purchase items from the list for that child. The ministry suggests a spending limit of $125 per child. The wish list card and unwrapped gifts are due back to the tree site by Friday, Dec. 5.
A “Wrapping Party” to wrap the gifts for these 160 children will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at North Oak Community Church, 3000 Oak St. All wrapping supplies and gift tags will be provided.
The community is invited to participate, but registration is requested to make sure there are enough wrapping supplies for everyone, Eiland said. She asked that people register by texting her at (214) 546-1974.
“These are Christmas wishes from kids that are not at home this Christmas. Many have never received any kind of gift--that includes Christmas,” Eiland said.
“The Wrapping Party is an opportunity to get your family, friends or social groups together and help out in the wrapping of these gifts. It is a great way for all ages to give back to others in the community with no monetary costs, only a few hours of your time. By either of these simple acts--the shopping and wrapping--people can make this Christmas holiday special for these kids. “
Those who would prefer to make a monetary donation may do so by writing a check to St. Francis Ministries and putting Christmas for Kids in the memo line. Checks may be dropped off at the St. Francis office, 3000 Broadway Ave. in Hays, or to Golden Belt Bank, 1101 E. 27th.