Thanks to all this holiday season

Silver Lining

By JULIE GOLDER

Staff Writer

The “magic” of Christmas has become the “panic” of Christmas to many parents.

Christmas presents, winter clothes, boots, even groceries have become luxuries many families simply can not afford.

The meaning of necessity has changed drastically with the times.

Many families must decide which bills can be paid this week and which can be put off a little longer so they can buy food, or keep the electricity and heat on and and avoid having the car repossessed. 

If you aren’t from a family who has been directly hit by this economic downturn, you know a family who has.

Times like these make it difficult to see the “Silver Lining” but as a self-proclaimed optimist I managed to find a few. 

After I interviewed the following organizations who donate their time to bring Christmas to as  many families and children as possible,  I realized the magic of Christmas has been manifested here in Bonners Ferry in the form of members of this community.

My heartfelt thanks goes out to the people, organizations, businesses and churches who work so hard, bound and determined to make as many families and their children able to take a breath and enjoy this Christmas in spite of their hardship.

Many people wonder what the true spirit if Christmas is all about; well here are just a few examples.

Care-N-Sahre

Care-N-Share is hoping to fill the need of 200 children from 65 families with donated items, including toys and clothing.

Linda Lederhos of Bonners Ferry started Care-N-Share 28 years ago and said this year’s families in need have doubled from last year.

“The need in our area is huge this year,” said Lederhos. “Donations have also been down from last year, which we were anticipating with the economy the way it is, but we know it will all come together in the end.”

Lederhos said she could also use cash donations and will except them through next week.  Funds are used to help families in need throughout the year.

“People have donated a lot of dolls, games, and Tinkerbell is really popular for the girls this year,” said Lederhos.  “It is nice to be able to give the children what they want, but most people just say they will take pretty much anything and aren’t being picky.”

“The Border Patrol folks have been great this year as in past years with wonderful toys for the kids,” she continued.

According to Lederhos the situation families have found themselves in and living conditions are really bad this year.

“There are families even living in camp trailers,” said Lederhos.  “It isn’t rich people who are helping; it is the everyday person who is donating and we really appreciate any donation we get.  We are  a little short right now, but hope to fill the need of all our families and will take donations even into next week,” she said. “It (donation amounts) won’t be like years past, but we appreciate the efforts people have made.”

Cash donations can be mailed to Care n Share, 515014 Highway 95, Bonners Ferry, ID., 83805.  For information call Lederhos at 290-1483.

The Giving Tree

Merry Brown-Hayes of Selkirk Association of Realtors said the Giving Tree program was a huge success in Bonners Ferry.

Bonners Ferry Head Start sent requests to the association for 70 local children in need. 

“We are delivering to 70 children up in Bonners Ferry today, Brown-Hayes said Firday. “It is absolutely welcoming and astonishing that there was such a huge outpouring from the Bonners Ferry community given the economic times up there. Those kids will have a wonderful Christmas because of that community.”

According to Brown-Hayes, people from Bonners Ferry who donated gifts bought them from local merchants.

“This is really important for the people and the community,” she said. “It helps the economics in Bonners Ferry as well; we are really excited about what happened up there.”

Brown-Hayes is chair woman of the Realtors Service Committee for the Selkirk Association of Realtors.  The committee facilitates and collects donated gifts, wraps them and delivers them to the participating communities.

“If a gift a child wanted isn’t donated, we go out and get what they want,” said Brown-Hayes.  “So many businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals stood up to help with the need of older kids too, with winter boots and work boots to the tune of $25 to $45 a pair.”

Toys for Tots

The Marine Corps Toys for Tots is headed up by former Marines Elden Koon of Bonners Ferry and Mike Young of Eastport.

Koon has been donating his time to the program for 10 years.  He said the donation boxes have had less toys this year than in past years, but monetary donations are up. 

“We take the money, and either Mike or I purchase toys for the children in need,” said Koon.  “Mike is very good at purchasing the toys and does most of it.”

The toys are taken to Trinity Lutheran Church and Pastor Steven Dornfeld or Vicki Blake call the families to pick up their packages. 

“It is gratifying to see how grateful people are to be able to use the program,” said Blake.  “We have been getting quite a few calls, and people are coming in expressing their thanks.  I am so glad to be able to be a part of this program.”

“We are running more kids than ever before at about 90 kids this year, and we just got a few more names and have about a week left to collect more names,” said Koon.

The Toys for Tots in Bonners Ferry is an approved independent program, which means any money donated to the local organization remains in Bonners Ferry.

“If we were are a part of the National Toys for Tots, we would be required to send money to them and they would make the determination how much of that money we would get based on our population,” said Koon.  “So by being independent we are able to keep the money we collect and utilize it for our community.”