The Holiday Gift Baskets handed out each year in Potterville have always been given with the intent of making the Christmas season a little brighter for children in the area. It has been successful in its purpose thanks to the generosity of local businesses, organizations and community members. Though, it’s getting more challenging each year as the number of those in need of assistance continues to grow.
Two years ago, Holiday Gift Baskets were handed out to close to 60 families, which included more than 150 children in Potterville. This year, Jo Lehman said she has already received 78 basket requests with nearly three weeks left until Christmas.
Lehman, who has co-chaired the program for the past nine years, said local businesses, organizations and individuals who adopt families really help expand the kind of support the baskets can provide. Each basket contains food to last an entire family a week as well as clothing and toys for each child in the family.
“The more people we get to adopt kids or families, the more we have to pay for food,” Lehman said.
Lehman said she feels it’s important that each child in the community receives a gift at Christmas.
“Peer pressure can be tough,” she said. “It’s nice that kids can go back to school with something nice and new and not feel left out.”
She said providing enough food for families during Christmas break is also a priority as some area families may struggle to have enough food while children are home for school. She said donations of non-perishable food items are always welcome. Donations of food can be taken to Benton Township Hall, located at 5136 Windsor Highway.
“We always need food,” Lehman said. “We’re looking for things that you would feed your children … something easy, like mac and cheese or soup.”
The Holiday Gift Baskets program works closely with the Salvation Army and SIREN/Eaton Shelter to make sure all people in need are taken care of this time of year. It’s the generosity of local organizations, such as the Benton Township Fire Department, the City of Potterville, Potterville Fire Department and local Boy Scouts that have all adopted children and families this year, that really makes the difference.
Monetary donations can be made to the Holiday Gift Baskets, PO Box 44, Potterville, MI 48876. For more information or to adopt a family, call Jo Lehman at (517) 224-6066.
