Christmas drives: Toys, food needed for underprivileged
VFW, emergency services efforts help Port Aransas families
Food drive

As you shop the next few weeks, pick up a little extra to donate to the Care and Share Drive.

The drive is going well, but more food items can be used, according to David Davidson, chairman of the drive.

The VFW Post 8967 conducts the drive each year to collect food so that underprivileged families in Port Aransas will have a Christmas dinner.

Volunteers will man a table at the Family Center IGA, 416 Alister St., from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 17. On weekdays, contributions may be put in a box at the Family Center or dropped off at the post home, 311 N. Alister St. Cash contributions may be mailed to Care and Share, c/o VFW Post 8967, P.O. Box 1447, Port Aransas, TX 78373.

Donations of nonperishable food items to complement a Christmas dinner will be accepted. Cash contributions also will be accepted to pay for perishables, such as hams and turkeys.

Eligible families that would like to receive a box of goods to make a Christmas dinner should sign up at city hall, 710 W. Ave. A, or at the post home no later than Wednesday, Dec. 20. They must provide a name, complete street address, telephone number and proof of residency in Port Aransas.

VFW members and volunteer helpers will sort and box the food during the week of Dec. 18, then add the hams and turkeys. Boxes will be packed, and deliveries will be made Thursday, Dec. 21. Families receiving the boxes must make sure someone is at home to receive the food.

For further information, call the VFW at 749-6534. Toy drive

Port Aransas families may apply for toys from the Emergency Services Toy Round Up through Sunday, Dec. 10. Applications for toys must include proof of residency in Port Aransas with a rent or utility bill having a Port Aransas zip code and some form of identification.

Children who might not otherwise have Christmas presents are provided toys each year through a joint effort among the fire, police and emergency medical service in Port Aransas.

The collection of toys and money continues through Friday, Dec. 15, and though the drive is going well, donations still are needed, according to Round Up chairman Kristin L. Adams. "We want all children in Port Aransas to have

a merry Christmas, and with your help, together we can make that happen, one child at a time," said Adams.

Designated toy collection locations are the Port Aransas Police Department or EMS office at 705 W. Ave. A, city hall at 710 W. Ave. A, Family Center IGA at 416 S. Alister St., CenturyTel at 219 E. Ave. C, ValueBank Port Aransas at 500 S. Alister St., and the University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute at 750 Channel View Drive in Port Aransas.

Checks may be made out to the Emergency Services Toy Round Up and mailed to Port Aransas EMS, Attn: Emergency Services Toy Round Up, 705 W. Ave. A, Port Aransas, TX 78373, or may be dropped off at the EMS office.

For more information, contact the EMS office at (361) 749-4405.