SOUTH COUNTY – Lake County Community Action Agency, in partnership with Toys for Tots, is calling on the community to help make this Christmas a bit more memorable and a little easier for area”s less-fortunate families. Donation boxes have been placed at various locations throughout the South County to assist the agency in its effort to ensure a happy holiday for all.
LCCAA has sponsored a Toys for Tots toy drive for several years. The effort is spearheaded locally by volunteer Vicki Ellsworth. Despite her own hardships, whatever they may be, Ellsworth always finds time each holiday season to direct the effort locally and help contribute to the joy of the season.
“Vicki truly is what you would call someone who really cares about the kids in her community,” Georgina Lehne, LCCAA executive director. “She has volunteered for this program for years and gives selflessly for the community and the kids.”
The program includes a holiday food basket as well as a gift giveaway. Sign ups for recipients in the program begin on Monday, Dec. 1 and will conclude on Friday, Dec. 5. Sign ups will be held at the LCCAA, 15312 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday with the exception of Wednesday”s hours, which are 9 to 11:45 a.m. The office is closed for lunch daily from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Those wishing to sign up for the program must bring identification for all family members, such as photo identification for adults and medical or Social Security cards for children. Participants must also show proof of household income by way of pay stubs, award letter, bank statement of direct deposit or AFDC/TANF statement. Proof of residence in Clearlake, Clearlake Park, Clearlake Oaks, Spring Valley, Glenhaven or Lower Lake must also be presented to sign up.
Food baskets will be distributed on Friday, Dec. 19 and the toys will be distributed on Dec. 20. According to Lehne, the toy distribution will work a little differently this year with parents being given the opportunity to pick a suitable gift for their particular child.
“No child should go without a toy for Christmas,” Lehne said. “We do our best here to ensure that every child has a gift under their Christmas tree.”
Toys for Tots collection boxes have been placed in the following locations: Perfect Printers, Lake County Fire Protection District office, Clearlake Auto Care Center, From Me 2 U, Yuba Community College Clearlake Campus computer lab, Bank of the West, Four Corners True Value Hardware, Wachovia Bank, West America Bank, Main Street Bar & Grill, Evangel Christian Center, Clear Lake Observer/Penny Slaver office, Lake County Community Action Agency, Mendo Mill, Java Express, One Stop Automotive, Lakehouse Inn & Bistro and Pampered Pooch in Clearlake; Tower Mart, Clearlake Oaks Fire Department and Mediacom in Clearlake Oaks; and Burton and Jernigan Insurance and Jonas Oil in Lower Lake. For more information call the LCCAA at 995-0495.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
