Elks to help needy youths and families

JACKSON, Mo. -- In a city with sparkling neighborhoods and a median family income exceeding $34,000, most Jackson residents don't have to worry about affording a Christmas gift for their children or having enough to eat during the holidays. But last year, hundreds of Jackson children received toys through the annual Toys for Children campaign and more than 250 food baskets were distributed through the Jackson Elks Christmas Program.

The toys and food will be distributed once again Dec. 13 at the Jackson Elks Club in the 20th year of a program that "will put tears in your eyes," says chairman Michael Browne.

The campaign to provide toys and food to needy families is a joint project of the Jackson Elks Club, the Jackson Police Department and the Jackson Jaycees.

"The beautiful part about Jackson is everybody helps each other," says Officer Darrell Sievers of the Jackson Police Department. "In our community there are people who are in need."

This is the third straight year Sievers has been in charge of the Toys for Children campaign. He and other members of the police department and civic organizations will distribute the toys at the Jackson Elks Lodge Dec. 13.

The children are members of families who also receive a food basket at the same time. The basket contains enough food for an entire week and includes a ham, canned goods, flour, apples, bread, vegetables and other items. Also available are diapers and clothing collected by the Oak Ridge Women's Organization.

Thousands of cans

Students in the Jackson R-2 schools have collected more than 14,000 cans of food to be distributed. Jackson Girl Scouts contributed money from their Tree of Lights campaign. And Jackson merchants contributed goods that raised $4,000 at a silent auction. Starcatchers, the new Jackson theater group, donated canned goods that were collected from patrons who attended their recent production.

A list of needy families has been assembled from various sources. Anyone who wants to be added to the list can call the Jackson Elks Lodge at 243-1259.

This year, Sievers has devised a contribution contest he calls the Clash of the Counselors. He has sent a letter asking for a donation from every defense attorney he has come up against in court. He's counting on their competitiveness.

"I'm daring any of them not to donate," Sievers says. "If Steve Wilson outdoes Al Lowes, he has bragging rights for a full year."

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182