20 years, counting for Share the Spirit
Program helps ensure every child gets a gift for Christmas
courtesy photo
Share the Spirit now serves 1,000 or more children during the holidays.
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POLSON — What started in 1998 with 175 kids now serves 1,000 or more during the holidays.
Toni Young, who moved to Polson from Granville, Ohio in 1996, started Share the Spirit to fill up her retirement years.
The non-profit organization provides gifts such as clothes and personal care bags to children up to age 12. Some 40 volunteers distribute the gifts — including those from the Marine Corps League’s Toys for Tots — to needy children in time for Christmas.
Locals can help with the effort by picking a tag from a Christmas tree at 13 locations in Lake County, buying a gift and bringing it to Share the Spirit’s drop-off location at the Core building at 36235 Kerr Dam Road next to the old soccer and baseball fields. The trees, put up on Monday, Nov. 20, will be located at Walmart, several area banks and Cherry Valley and Linderman elementary schools in Polson.
“It’s very satisfying to know that these children are getting something for Christmas,” Young said. “We want to make sure every little kid has a present to open.” The volunteers, who are most all retired, are emotionally overwhelmed by helping, she said. “It’s very heartwarming to give back to the community,” Young said. “It’s important for all of us to give back.”
There were 80 kids in the Polson area who lacked a permanent home during last year’s holiday season and a number live in homes impacted by illegal drug use, she said.
School counselors, friends and neighbors can nominate a child for Share the Spirit, but the gift must be picked up by the child’s parent or guardian.
Nomination forms can be picked up at Lake County Public Health Department, the Women, Infants and Children office, the Office of Public Assistance, Child Protective Services, Job Service, and from school counselors and some churches.
Share the Spirit, which also distributes personal care bags for adults in emergency situations in late June and November, accepts tax deductible monetary donations. They can be sent to: P.O. Box 1341, Polson, MT 59860.
