The holiday tradition of reaching out to others is going strong. Among the projects:
- The University of Utah Credit Union, Nike Factory Store in Park City and Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake have teamed up to provide new Nike shoes for children in need. The shoes will be distributed Tuesday, Dec. 20.- Last Friday, senior citizens residing at Friendship Manor played Santa and Mrs. Claus for nearly 70 homeless children staying at the Salt Lake Community Shelter and Resource Center. The children called Mr. and Mrs. Claus by cellular phones to relay their Christmas wishes.
- Smith's and other local grocers donated more than 250 Hormel Cure 81 hams, worth more than $3,000, to the Utah Food Bank to provide meals to Utah families in need this holiday season.
The donation is part of Hormel Foods' annual "Hams for the Holidays" campaign.
- "Crazy Dave," morning disc jockey at radio station KUTQ Q99, stayed in a trolley car at Trolley Square to collect in-kind donations of boots, clothing, hats, coats, sleeping bags and canned goods for the Travelers Aid homeless programs.
Trolley Square shops and restaurants boosted the effort by donating prizes to those bringing donations.
- Fred Meyer trucks looked more like Santa's sleigh as they delivered Christmas cargo to Salvation Army centers.
In all, they delivered more than $700,000 worth of food, toys and housewares, as well as clothing, to centers in Utah, Oregon, Washington, California and Alaska.
- Hill Air Force Base's Sub for Santa program collected items and money to bring Christmas cheer to 140 families, as well as to residents of two care centers.
- While the holiday season is a time of joy for most people, it can be disastrous for people who have addictions to alcohol or drugs. Highland Ridge Hospital, a 32-bed treatment facility, is offering scholarship beds available throughout the holiday season, as beds are available. The program will focus on those who have not had access to substance-abuse treatment, particularly single parents and older people.
For information, call 272-4357 (HELP).
- TelAmerica long-distance company gave free long-distance calls so that homeless people staying at the Salt Lake Community Shelter and Resource Center and patients staying at Primary Children's Medical Center can call home for the holidays.
The event was Tuesday afternoon.