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Share the Spirit brightens Christmas

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POLSON — Though it’s headquartered in Polson, Share the Spirit stretches its arms around many Lake County children from birth to 12 years old.

“We have 250 more kids than we’ve ever had before,” Share the Spirit Director Toni Young said. 

It’s kind of a double whammy because “Our donations are down,” she added.

Share the Spirit is up and running in the old DRS Technical Services building on U.S. Highway 93, accessed from behind the Salvation Army Thrift Store. They’ll be open from noon until 5 p.m. through Dec. 21.

Last year the non-profit served 400 to 450 families, and the numbers continue to climb. 

Holidays can be tough times for families struggling to make ends meet, let alone provide Christmas gifts and treats for their children. That’s where school counselors, Family Services, Working Innovations, Lake County Public Health and the WIC office come into play, nominating children around the area. 

Workers fill out and submit a form, containing the age and sex of a child, sizes and what he or she wants for Christmas or needs. Enrollment closed on Dec. 5, and all the forms were forwarded to Share the Spirit.

Huge crates of toys from Toys for Tots come into Share the Spirit, since the organization is the distribution arm for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Hellroaring Detachment Toys.

Community Church sent over 200 sets of hand-knit scarf and hat sets.

“The generosity amazes me,” said Nancy Hines, STS treasurer.

Once the gifts and toys start rolling in, volunteers who donate endless hours of time know just what to do. 

“Share the Spirit is a well-oiled machine,”  Hines said. 

Hines enters the information in the STS laptop, gives each child a number, for confidentiality sake. She makes a tag, complete with the child’s age and sex and his or her wishes or needs.

Share the Spirit trees, loaded with these tags for area youngsters, are set up in Valley businesses. Community members take a tag, shop for the child and return the gifts, complete with the tag, to the store or to Share the Spirit. 

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office collects money throughout the year and usually fulfills 75 tags. Off-duty officers do the shopping, Hines said.

Daily volunteer elves John Semmens and Russ Jenkins collect tagged gifts and drop them off at Share the Spirit. Folks may also drop the gifts, marked with the tag, at Share the Spirit headquarters.

There, volunteers such as Judie Woodhouse, Maggie Newman and Emmett May, check the gift bags and fill in with additional toys, books or clothes.

“It’s fun,” Woodhouse said, selecting a doll for an eight-month old girl. “You know you are making someone’s Christmas.”

Then the bagged gifts are placed in numerical order to await pickup from various Santas before Christmas.

Share the Spirit has worked since 1998 in Lake County to assist struggling families families with toys, clothes and gifts. It’s a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To donate, drop a check off at Share the Spirit. For more information, call 883-1046.

 

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