Holiday Help Efforts Planned

Several Battle creek efforts are underway to help families in need this holiday season.

Next week, churches, businesses, warehouses and homes in our community are being transformed into collection spots for Operation Christmas Child.  Battle Creek collection sites hope to collect 14,000 gift-filled shoeboxes for needy kids.

Operation Christmas Child Locations:

Lakeview Square Mall is offering several ways to help by hosting the Marine Corps League Toys for Tots, the Salvation Army Angel Tree and The Potter’s House Church gift wrap station.

Lakeview Square Mall general manager Mark Dycus the Mall is an official drop-off site for Toys for Tots, accepting new, unwrapped toys through Dec. 10. Generous donors can drop off unwrapped gifts in special donation boxes located near the security desk in center court and the mall management office near Sears.

Located next to Kay Jewelers and the mall’s entrance, the Salvation Army Angel Tree is festooned with ornaments listing specific requests for local families in need. Shoppers are invited to select an ornament, purchase the item and drop off unwrapped gifts in special donation boxes located near the security desk in center court and the mall management office near Sears. Angel Tree donations are accepted through Dec. 17.

Thumbs up for those who are all thumbs when gift wrapping. Volunteers for The Potter’s House Church, stationed in front of Macys, will transform packages with wraps and ribbons for a good will donation based on the size of the package. Gift wrap services will be available during peak holiday shopping hours from Nov. 27 through Dec. 24.