MANKATO — A new partnership, and another location added on to existing sites, has the longstanding Holiday Sharing Tree campaign ready to provide gifts to more area residents this season.
At a kickoff event at Bomgaars in Mankato, the new location this year, Holiday Sharing Tree project manager Liz Thiesse said partnering with Mankato Elks Lodge #225 can help expand the program’s reach.
Now in its 39th year, Holiday Sharing Tree has provided gifts for 85,000 people since its inception, Thiesse said.
“It’s a really good feeling to help our neighbors and individuals in need during the holiday season,” she said.
The program works by having customers pick up giving cards at participating locations, buy the requested $20 gift card for the name on the card, then return the card to a participating location by Dec. 15. Doing gift cards allows recipients to choose sizes, colors and styles of their choice on necessary items, which they can then wrap and give to their child or loved one, Thiesse said.
“It’s a simple, economical way to be able to help somebody out,” Thiesse said.
Along with Bomgaars, sharing tree locations include Fleet Farm, River Hills Mall’s food court, both Hy-Vees in Mankato and the Hy-vee in St. Peter, North Mankato Taylor Library and St. Peter’s First National Bank and Nutter Clothing. Kicking off the campaigns starts the clock on a 35-day rush to get giving cards turned in before distribution day on Dec. 19.
The Elks Lodge undertook a similar gift giving drive in previous years before joining efforts with Holiday Sharing Tree this year. Jane Huse of the Elks Lodge saw the program as fitting in well with the service organization’s work focusing on children and veterans.
“We felt this was a great opportunity to partner with them and impact so many more children than we were in the past,” she said. “We’re happy to be part of it.”
Being part of the campaign this year was exciting for Bomgaars, said Abbi Richards, speaking on behalf of the retailer. Gift cards could end up going toward essential winter clothing at the store.
Holiday Sharing Tree identifies its recipients with assistance from Blue Earth County Human Services and Nicollet County Social Services. Volunteers from the Minnesota State University social work program donate time to get cards ready and gift cards distributed, Thiesse said.
Apart from volunteers, donations are always needed to fulfill the organization’s goals each season, she added. Go to www.holidaysharingtree.org for more information.