Adopt-A-Child program seeks community help

The Palmyra Ministerial Alliance is kicking off the annual Adopt-A-Child program and is seeking help from the community.

Adopt-A-Child is a Christmas assistance program specifically designed to help out families with small children in need in the Palmyra R-I and Marion County R-II school districts.

Each year, the Adopt-A-Child program serves families in need and helps make their Christmas more meaningful by providing for them gifts for small children, basic clothing, toiletry items and a food basket.

Applications are now available at the Palmyra R-I and Marion County R-II schools, and St. Joseph Catholic Church.

The applications, must be postmarked no later than Nov. 6 to be considered for assistance.

Tax deductible monetary donations are welcome and are due by Dec. 9. However, donations will be accepted at any time.

Donation checks must be payable to PAMA and mailed to Adopt-A-Child, c/o St. Joseph Catholic Church, PO Box 606, Palmyra, MO 63461.

As part of the program, Angel Trees will start appearing at various locations around the community in November. On the trees will be Christmas ornaments representing a child and the particular gift for that child.

Persons can purchase the gift, wrap it with the Christmas ornament securely attached to the outside of the gift, return the gift to the Angel Tree from which the ornament was picked, and the gift will be taken care of from there.

To adopt a child, come to St. Joseph Catholic Church’s Farischon Hall at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 18. Those unable to attend but still wanting to adopt a child should contact Cathy Fohey at St. Joseph Church, 573-769-3270 or youth@stjoepalmyra.org .

This year’s gift distribution will take place at Farischon Hall Tuesday, Dec. 22.

Last year, the Adopt-A-Family program assisted 44 families.