Sheltered workshop employees to brighten holidays for local families

DONIPHAN — Ripley County Sheltered Workshop employees are spearheading an effort to make the Christmas holiday special for those who need it most: the county’s underprivileged children and families.

From now until Dec. 16, the workshop will be accepting donations of new toys, new clothing of any size and monetary contributions.

According to CRSW Manager Jessica Billings, “Donated items will be wrapped by workshop employees and delivered sometime after Dec. 16 by CRSW employees, with help from the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department and other volunteers.”

The Division of Family Services, South Central Missouri Community Action Agency (SCMCAA) and Ripley County school counselors will help workshop staff decide which families should be on the list.

“Anyone who knows of a family who should benefit, please contact me at the workshop,” says Billings.

She works closely with Elaine Keathley, and the SCMCAA, and says, “Anyone who wants to sponsor a family can contact Elaine.”

In this way, specific needs can be addressed. For instance, a mother may need scrubs for her job. Elaine can provide a list of special needs and include sizes, said Billings.

Families can be sponsored by individuals, groups, businesses or other families.

Last year the project provided Christmas gifts to 248 children and 48 families.

“I expect that number will be higher this year. Our crew will begin wrapping gifts Dec. 13. Sometime after that we will be delivering to families, based on how much needs to be delivered and how much help we have,” she says.

“We want to try to have everything delivered by Dec. 20,” she says.

The holidays are going to be quite busy for the Workshop “elves,” says Billings.

“We also plan to participate in the Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the Reese Ainley Foundation in Naylor,” she says.

Take-out orders for Thanksgiving will be served Nov. 23 from 4-7 p.m., and for Christmas on Dec. 22 from 4 to 7 p.m., at 116 Southwest Front Street in Naylor.

Items or monetary contributions earmarked for donation to any of these causes can be dropped off at the workshop Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Or, call the workshop at 573-996-2707 to arrange for pick-up.