So many organizations work tirelessly to help those in need, especially around the holidays. We are proud to serve as a collection point for three organizations that serve local families and individuals not only during the holidays, but also throughout the year:
Visit Military Families Ministry's website to learn more about their many programs for active duty troops, families at home, and veterans. Stockings for the Troops sends thousands of stockings each year to troops stationed abroad over the holidays, including cards and messages of support from communities at home.
Home Instead - Be A Santa To A Senior
This gift-giving program benefits older adults who may be overlooked, isolated or alone during the holiday season and has been in operation for over 20 years. To participate, shoppers will come to ARC to get a Be a Santa to a Senior ‘ornament’. Ornaments feature the gender of the senior and a list of items to choose from. Shoppers are asked to buy three items from the suggested list and return it wrapped in a gift bag to ARC with the ornament attached. Ornaments will be available from the beginning of November through December 12th. The gifts will be delivered to local older adults in time for the holidays.
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation assists the US Marine Corps in their goal to provide a tangible sign of hope for economically disadvantaged children at Christmas. The Toys for Tots program collects new, unwrapped toys for children up to age 12 (in some cases exceptions are made for up to age 16) for distribution to families at no cost, helping these children experience the joy of Christmas. This program plays an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable resources - our children - as well as uniting the members of a community toward a common cause. Last year our local Ebensburg Chapter distributed toys to over 2,200 local children. 2025 toy collections will end December 19th.