Staff Reports
Centra Foundation is partnering with The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program and the Fraternal Order of Police Shop with a Cop to make sure all local children have winter clothes and toys for the holidays.
The effort will begin Monday where Christmas trees with Angel Tree tags and ornaments will be unveiled at Centra Credit Union branches in Columbus, Edinburgh and Walesboro to allow customers and friends to donate from $5 to $100 to be divided between the two holiday programs.
“There are many parents and grandparents who are struggling financially and don’t have the funds to spend on Christmas gifts,” said Lyn Morgan, Centra Foundation president. “Donations from Centra members and friends when added together have a tremendous impact.”
About 100 children received gifts last year from the Angel Tree initiative.
Alan Trisler, chairman of the local Fraternal Order of Police, said the organization’s Shop with a Cop program was able to help about 125 children last year, with the help of donations from the Centra program.
Salvation Army Capt. Alan Sladek said the Centra Foundation donations helped the agency provide winter clothing, toys, stocking stuffers and a family game to all the children who were signed up to receive help.
The program will continue at Centra branches through Dec. 10. All donations are tax deductible and also may be made online at centrafoundation.org.
In addition to the Columbus area branches, Centra locations in Greensburg, North Vernon and Seymour are also collecting donations for programs in their area. The branches at Greensburg and Seymour are collecting donations for the local Fraternal Order of Police Shop with a Cop and Kids program. In North Vernon, donations will be going to the Good Samaritan Food Pantry Christmas program.
Centra Foundation is the charitable arm of Centra Credit Union. The foundation aims to involve Centra members and friends in supporting charitable efforts that help meet the needs of communities where Centra members work and live.
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To make a donation through Centra’s Holiday Giving Angel Tree Program, visit one of the following branches between Monday and Dec. 10.
Columbus: 1430 N. National Road; 601 Union St.; 2020 26th St.; 2165 Jonathan Moore Pike.
Edinburgh: 11700 N. U.S. 31
Walesboro: 2010 W. County Road 450S
Greensburg: 1803 N. Lincoln St.
Seymour: 520 S. Jackson Park Drive
North Vernon: 975 Veterans Drive
To donate online, visit centrafoundation.org
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