Giving Tree effort seeking support

The Putnam County Giving Tree project is seeking groups or individuals to help sponsor families in need again this Christmas.

Each year, the Giving Tree program works with local schools and organizations throughout Putnam County who refer families for assistance. Giving Tree volunteers meet individually with a parent or guardian to confirm eligibility and talk specifically about each child in the program, gathering information such as age, clothing and shoe sizes, and specific needs and holiday wishes.

Those needs and holiday wishes translate into “gift tags” that are distributed throughout the community through the involvement of local churches and business partners. In December 2015 the program provided assistance to 190 families, with 450 children. That translates into 1,350 gifts provided through the generosity of the people of Putnam County.

For the 2016 season, trees with tags have been set up at Goody’s (27 Putnam Plaza) and Kroger (821 Indianapolis Rd.), as well as the Putnam Inn (400 N. Jackson St.). Tags may be taken from these locations and fulfilled, with items purchased being returned to the same location.

Although the involvement of local churches and businesses helps get the tags out into the community and fulfilled, there is also a need for financial help to cover last-minute applicants and other unmet needs.

Online tax deductible contributions can be made through the Putnam County Community Foundation’s website at www.pcfoundation.org/PutnamCountyGivingT or by making a check payable to Putnam County Giving Tree and mailing it no later than Dec. 9 to Putnam County Giving Tree, P.O. Box 413, Greencastle, IN 46135.

Sponsorship information of a child/children/family can be provided by emailing pcgivingtree@gmail.com.

The continued success of the program requires ongoing support from Putnam County communities, organizations and individuals. Organizers are asking that other organizations consider making a financial donation or choose to sponsor a child/children/family to help reach the Giving Tree program’s goal of being able to purchase and provide Christmas gifts for every family application received this year.

Anyone who has questions may call 301-6170.