When Winslow Mayor Roberta Cano said, “This community comes together for our fellow citizens,” she was talking about the continuing generosity of townspeople both in spirit and in monetary aid. The holiday season is no different. Several organizations and private citizens have opened their hearts this year to aid in holiday cheer for those less fortunate.
One of those citizens is AZE Electrical Contractors owner, Jen Perez. Perez took it upon herself to develop a social media campaign to adopt a family this holiday season.
Perez said, “It’s incredibly important to us that we teach our children the value of giving back to the community in whatever way you are able.”
Her goal is to provide a meal and gifts for a family in need. Those interested should email Perez at JP2Cares@gmail.com with information about their family including wants and needs of each family member.
Another group always willing to lend a hand is The Cherry Bombs. Comprised of members from Holbrook, Sun Valley, Joseph City and Winslow, the group introduces themselves as, “vigilante fundraisers.”
Currently, The Cherry Bombs are hosting a wish tree in the Winslow Denny’s lobby. The tree features tags reflecting needs of the two domestic violence shelters managed by Alice’s Place in Winslow. Items needed include household items for both locations as well as toys and clothing for women and children of all ages. The shelters serve over 1,000 people each year and any donations are welcomed.
Denny’s general manager and Cherry Bomb Jennifer McNair said, “It’s that time of year for giving. Working for this company I have the opportunity to do just that. As a Cherry Bombs, I am able to see the needs of our local organizations that need our assistance. We chose Alice’s Place because these women and children are doing their best to make their lives better, I have dug myself out of that pit and I know how hard that is to do.”
Denny’s is located at 400 Transcon Lane in Winslow and the tree will be available throughout the season.
Alice’s Place is looking for the following items for both shelter locations: crock pots, pots and pans, blenders, coffee pots, bath towels, DVD players, copy paper, a children’s activity table with chairs, and toys and clothing for children of all ages.
Contact The Cherry Bombs on their Facebook page or visit Denny’s in Winslow to help.
The BPOE Post. No. 536 Elks Lodge in Winslow will also be lending a helping hand this season, as is traditional for the organization.
Beginning this week, the organization will be collecting nominations from teachers in the Winslow School District for children who are in need of clothing for Operation Clothe a Child.
Elks members and members of The Cherry Bombs will then take each one of those children on a shopping spree for new winter clothing of their choice.
Organizer Sharon Gose said, “We receive donations from the community all year round to help us purchase the clothes for the kids. Their little faces light up when they know they get to choose what they buy. We don’t even let the parents shop with us, it’s all about the kids in need.”
Operation Clothe a Child will conclude Dec. 11 with a shopping trip. Those wishing to donate can do so until Dec. 6 by contacting an Elks member or calling the organization at (928) 289-4536.
Members of the Elks Lodge will also be participating in the annual Christmas basket event.
Organizer Michelle Pennington said, “The Elks Christmas basket program is to help people in our community. All those in need have to do is fill out an application, which is available at the lodge or in the Town Crier. We provide a turkey, potatoes and other canned goods in each basket and our hope is that recipients end up with about a week’s worth of food. Donations to fill those have been coming in all year from the community including the schools, who all held ‘Fill the Bus’ food drives.”
Members and volunteers will be filling the food baskets the week of Dec. 13, so donations are accepted until then.
Pennington added, “At the bottom of the application for the food basket, there is a phone number that people can call if they are in need of additional assistance for the holiday. We wanted to help people in a more meaningful and impactful way, so if people need help, they can contact us.”
The phone number to contact the lodge is (928) 224-9397 or send an email to winslowelksxmas@gmail.com.
Pennington concluded, “It is important to us and to our organization that we help as many people as possible.”
To that Perez added, “As a little girl, my family was sponsored by the Elks organization for Christmas and to this day, I vividly remember that. I’m sure it took some stress off our parents and we want to bring that little bit of Christmas joy to other families in our community.”
The Cherry Bombs shared the same sentiment as McNair said, “Anything that Denny’s or The Cherry Bombs can do to help alleviate some of the stress and worry for anyone is what the season is all about. It is our way of giving back to the wonderful community we live in.”
