Al's Outreach Outtakes

October usually means great Fall weather, beautiful colors on the leaves and bringing out of warmer clothes. Looks like we missed the first, just starting to see the second and the last happened in July this year. For me, October means another thing that never fails; it’s time to start planning for Thanksgiving and the Christmas Giving Tree. For those who have not yet looked at the calendar, this year has a little twist to it. Thanksgiving is really late. No problem, we can all adjust right? The tricky part for me is that there is now one less week between the two holidays to get the Giving Tree and your generous gift giving all taken care of.

Soooo, this year I am going to try something different. Thanksgiving grocery bags will be available for pick up the weekends of November 2nd and 3rd  and again the following weekend on the 9th and 10th. All Thanksgiving donation bags will need to be returned no later than Sunday, November 17th. For those who would also like to help offset the cost of turkeys, your $25 donation would be appreciated by then as well. Most of this is business as usual and will allow us to distribute the 200+ turkeys that I anticipate we will have.
 
Now the tricky part, which some of you might actually like; I will be putting the Giving Tree up the weekend before (rather than the weekend after) Thanksgiving. Tags will be available for those who would like to donate gifts on November 23rd and 24th and again on November 30th and December 1st. For those of you who have been asking me to make tags available for Black Friday, your wish has been granted. For those of you who are already feeling the stress of the holidays, my apologies. All gifts will need to be returned no later than December 8th. Given the way the dates fall and the amount of work required, along with your past generosity, I expect the Holy Trinity elves will be quite busy.
 
I have already contacted the Women’s Life Change Center, Portland VA, Rose Haven and a couple of others asking for their wish lists. With your help I look forward to Holy Trinity once again filling tummies and creating smiles.