Submitted

A long-time program that provides gifts for children at Christmas was the topic of the program presented at the Thursday, Nov. 13 meeting of the Trenton Rotary Club, held at the BTC Bank community room. Scott Sharp presided at the meeting, Joe MacDonald gave the prayer and Jeff Crowley was the sergeant at arms.

Program chairman David Critten introduced Kara Helmandollar, who told about the Trenton Kiwanis Club/KTTN Christmas Wish program, which is now in it 40 years in. KTTN established the program in 1986, with the Kiwanis Club taking over the administrative duties in 1990. Letters are sent home with all children in the Trenton R-9 School District, explaining the program and having a form which is returned to the school district. Once the forms are returned, the Kiwanis Club puts together a registry with the list of toys requested by the children and then seeks individuals and/or organizations to help provide those items. KTTN also advertises the requests. Monetary contributions are also accepted, which are used by the club to purchase requested toys not already donated. Toys and treat sacks are then delivered the Saturday before Christmas by Kiwanis members and other volunteers.

The program is income-based and last year served 123 students from 46 families. Several businesses partner with the Kiwanis and KTTN as well, including Farmers State Bank, which has a tree of requests located in the bank lobby; Hy-Vee, which provides items for the treat sack that accompanies the toy; and DG Market, which provides a collection center for toys bought at their store. Mrs. Helmandollar noted that the program has also received help in the past from the Marines Toys for Tots program. Persons wanting more information about the program can contact Mrs. Helmandollar or KTTN.

During the business meeting, it was announced that members planning to attend the Rotary Christmas Party on Dec. 18 need to make their reservations by Dec. 4. The club will hold its party at Chesapeake on Main.

The program for the Nov. 20 meeting will be presented by former Chiefs assistant special teams coach and former MU football coach Andy Hill. Bruce Constant is the program chairman. The club will not meet on Nov. 27 due to the Thanksgiving holiday.