It's time to start the countdown to Christmas. But as the season's pace becomes more frenzied, there are still lots of people who need help. And lots of organizations and individuals who are providing that help and holiday cheer:
- The Salvation Army is preparing food boxes for 3,000 Utah families and needs volunteers to help in their preparation and distribution. Food boxes will contain several items recipients may use to prepare a complete holiday dinner.Volunteers are needed through Wednesday, Dec. 15, to sort food and fill boxes and from Dec. 16-24 to hand out filled boxes at the distribution center, 1786 W. 7800 South.
For information call Richard Rogers at 565-7915.
- Mother's Little Helper diaper service is putting its delivery trucks to use this month gathering clothing donations for the Salt Lake Community Shelter and Resource Center.
It's joining hundreds of other diaper services across the nation to help homeless families by collecting good, used clothing for infants and children in the Clothes for Kids Campaign. Last year it netted over 375,000 pounds of clothing nationwide.
The local service will collect items from customers and the community through Thursday, Dec. 23. Sweaters and coats are especially needed for the 63 children living at the shelter.
Collection bins for the campaign are located at Cottonwood Mall, 5835 S. Highland Drive; Pioneer Valley Hospital, 3460 S. 4155 West; and Lakeview Hospital, 630 E. Medical Drive in Bountiful.
- The Midvale Elementary School Chorus and a group of senior citizens from the Midvale Senior Center presented a musical program and decorated the County Government Center Christmas tree with items they crafted themselves.
The second- and third-graders have been working with the senior citizens for the past two months on the project, which has the theme "A link from the past to the present and the present to the future."
- Jungle Jim's Playland will be closed to the public Monday, Dec. 20, so that underprivileged children can attend a Christmas party. And the public is asked to participate by donating presents - unwrapped - for the children.
The gifts should be dropped off at the facility, 739 E. Fort Union Blve. in Union Point Shopping Center, before Dec. 20.
Nearly 300 boys and girls 12 and under from Travelers Aid Society, Marillac House, Rescue Haven, Andrews Center and the YWCA will spend the evening at Jungle Jim's decorating a tree, unwrapping presents, eating pizza and riding the amusement park's rides.
The children will be joined by 13 more children from KJZZ's "14 Days of Christmas Contest." Each of the winners can invite three friends to the party. The winners will be chosen from entries of Christmas ornaments the children have made. Mail entries to KJZZ Kids "14 Days," P.O. Box 221414, Salt Lake City, UT 84122.