Project Christmas Promise looks to provide gifts for more 1,000 children in need

With requests ranging from fluffy blankets for a 12-year-old girl to shoes for an 8-year-old boy, Project Christmas Promise is once again in full swing as organizers try to ensure every Butler County child has a merry holiday.

More than 1,000 children in need have already made it onto their lists.

“I am expecting that we’ll get some more,” said organizer Becky Winters, with the Poplar Bluff R-I School District. “We normally increase a little bit each year.”

In it’s 10th year, the organization works to pair community members and organization that want to help with children who might otherwise receive very little.

Those interested in adopting a child or family for Christmas can contact the organization by calling Winters at 573-785-7751, emailing beckywinters@pb.k12.mo.us, or through https://www.facebook.com/Project-Christmas-Promise-219991430554/ .

“Honestly 1,000 kids sounds really frightful, but we only have about 400 left to be adopted. We’ve done a lot of work so far,” Winters said recently.

The group has many long-time participants, including businesses and churches, that reach out early every year to adopt families.

Names are also supplied to Shop with a Hero, school Angel Tree programs and others host Christmas charities.

Those who have volunteered to help with a need can begin dropping presents off Monday at the Missouri Room in the Poplar Bluff R-I Central Office, 1110 N. Westwood Blvd. Drop offs can be made between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The goal is to receive all of the gifts by Dec. 13, so that deliveries can be made by Dec. 20, Winters said.

Individuals can help with all or a portion of a family’s needs.

Donations of money, wrapping paper and gift boxes are also needed.

The organization uses cash donations to purchase items for any child not adopted.

Both clothing items and toys are provided for the children.

Anyone adopting a child can wrap presents or drop off unwrapped items.

Organizers ask that each gift have a tag with the family number and the age and sex of the child.

Anyone wishing to adopt a child should contact the organization before purchasing items, to ensure the child has not been adopted.

Referrals come directly from the individuals and organizations that know the children’s needs best, Winters said. The Promise effort accepts recommendations only from schools, social service groups and others who work directly with families.