One Christmas program closes, another opens

To the editor:

After 39 years of organizing “The Give a Helping Hand Christmas Program,” I regretfully must retire the program this year. My health being as it is, I am unable to find the energy to continue another year.

I give a special “thank you” to my very helpful daughter, Billie Brue, my sons Rick Bragg and Roy Stanton, and of course my husband, Harold Stanton, who put up with all the phone calls and craziness.

I also wish to thank all of you who have steadfastly helped to keep the program going by helping so many children in need. I will not be able to list all of my helpers as there were so many. A program like this takes the help of many who work wrapping, purchasing, getting the gifts on the tables to hand out to the families, making sure the packages go to the correct person, picking up gifts purchased by people needing them picked up, making stockings and filling them, and more.

Summer McDonald has started a new program similar to mine. I feel she will do a great job, as she is so enthusiastic about helping those in need. Good luck Summer! I truly wish you well.

I sincerely hope everyone who has supported me on my endeavor will support Summer. Everyone coming together to help the less fortunate makes us all feel good.

Please contact Summer to sign up your child or children by Nov. 1 for a gift or to volunteer or to take a child’s wish or need. Tags will be available until Dec. 1, unless filled earlier for volunteers wishing to help with gifts,

Summer can be reached at 406-334-5239.

—Fran Stanton,

Troy