Local opportunities for GivingTuesday

WORLAND – In 2012 New York’s 92nd Street Y, in partnership with the United Nations Foundation, founded GivingTuesday which is celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and the many holiday sales the weekend after. GivingTuesday is a day to give back and help those less fortunate.

According to the GivingTuesday website, “GivingTuesday harnesses the potential of social media and the generosity of people around the world to bring about real change in their communities; it provides a platform for them to encourage the donation of time, resources and talents to address local challenges. It also brings together the collective power of a unique blend of partners; nonprofits, civic organizations, businesses and corporations, as well as families and individuals; to encourage and amplify small acts of kindness.”

It has been said that generosity starts at home and there are many different local organizations in need of that generosity, especially during the holiday season.

MEMORY TREE

In Worland’s Pioneer Square there is a little tree which will be adorned with CDs decorated and hung by the Special Olympic athletes. Each decorated CD is also adorned with the name of a person who has passed away or for a person to be honored.

“For a $5 donation to the Special Olympics, a name can be placed in memory of a loved one who has passed on or in honor of someone living who holds a special place in your heart. An invitation can be sent to one person, per order, to let them know about a special ceremony that is held, where all the names are read aloud,” Yvonne Bryant said in an earlier interview.

Order forms can be obtained at Rocky Mountain Framing, Big Horn Federal Bank, O.W.L. Unlimited and Bryant Funeral Home.

The Memory Tree ceremony is at 7 p.m. on Dec. 13 at the Worland Community Center Complex at and includes a

message from a clergy member and music. There will be refreshments and a social time after the ceremony.

“Many of those who attend the ceremony for the first time are experiencing their first Christmas without their loved one. As they look around the room, they are amazed to see so many families feeling the same way that they do. We hope that this little program can bring peace to people in remembering those who have gone on before us and yet are still so fresh in our memories that it hurts,” Bryant said in an earlier interview.

All proceeds from the Memory Tree CD decorations stay in the community and help the Special Olympics athletes. “Washakie County Special Olympics is very appreciative of the generosity of our community! It’s nice to know that the community stands behind us in keeping our program running. Special Olympics is not only fun, but it is something that allows the athletes to participate in healthy activity for exercise and socialization,” Bryant stated.

WASHAKIE COUNTY MINESTERIAL ASSOCIATION

Each year the Washakie County Ministerial Association sponsors a Christmas Basket program to help make sure needy families are able to celebrate Christmas with a Christmas dinner.

Needy families and individuals can sign up for the program in late November and receive their baskets around the middle of December. The Ministerial Association is funded by the local churches and purchases almost all of the items incorporated in the basket. Volunteers put the baskets together for pick up and in some situations delivery.

The food pantry is also run by the Washakie County Ministerial Association and is always in need of donations, especially at this time of year. Currently the food pantry not only needs non-perishable food items but they also need household items such as toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex, bar and dish soap, shampoo and tooth paste and brushes.

“Anyone interested in donating to the Christmas basket program or any of our other services may do so by sending the donations to: Washakie County Ministerial Association, P.O. Box 851, Worland, WY 82401,” Martinson said.

Food and toiletry donations can be brought to the food pantry at 620 Big Horn Ave Monday, Wednesday and Friday between the hours of 9:30-11:30 a.m. or by scheduling a drop off time by calling 1-307-347-6123.

ANGEL TREE

Anyone interested in helping make a needy child’s Christmas magical can visit Big Horn Federal Bank, ANB Bank, Security State Bank and Blair’s Market in Worland and select a name off the Angels Trees. The children’s names are from families who will be receiving Christmas food baskets from the Washakie County Ministerial Association.

Anyone interested in helping these children have a Merry Christmas, just needs to take a name, purchase a gift or gifts and return them to the business hosting the tree before the deadline posted by the business. “These gifts will be delivered or picked up with the food baskets and Christmas will be more joyful for many children in the area,” Angel Tree director Nancy Frederick said in an earlier interview.

WORLAND SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER

The Worland Senior Citizens Center is selling Christmas cookies to benefit the center from Nov. 26 – Dec. 19. All proceeds will go back into the center to help keeps things running ship shape.

“We have done it the last couple years and now it is something they look forward to. A lot of our seniors don’t bake like they used to so it gives them a chance to have those Christmas cookies that they grew up with. Fun little fund raiser that we do,” Worland Senior Citizens Center executive director Wendy Fredricks said.