The Holiday Help of East Troy program will continue this year, featuring the collaboration of various community organizations.

East Troy Family and Community Resource Center coordinator Marolyn Komperud, who has taken the reins of the 3-year-old initiative, said a new organizational structure started in 2014 makes it easier than ever to help families in need during the holidays.

In 2015, Holiday Help of East Troy was able to serve 83 families with a combined 194 children between the ages of birth and 18 years of age.

"This is truly a community venture and a way for East Troy to come together to help struggling families to have a blessed holiday season," Komperud said. 

Organizations and businesses with continued involvement include: East Troy Food Pantry, East Troy Lions Club, East Troy Lioness Club, East Troy Community School District, East Troy Woman’s Club, First Citizens State Bank-East Troy Office, St. James Methodist Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School, St. Peter's Church and School, Helping Hands of St. Peter’s, Good Shepherd Church, East Troy Bible Church, East Troy Kiwanis Club, Associated Bank and Realty Executives Integrity.

GET INVOLVED
Businesses or organizations wishing to participate in donation collections (stockings/stocking stuffers, socks/underwear, new books) or adopting a family, should contact Komperud for more information by Nov. 15 at (262) 642-4900 or easttroyfamily@gmail.com.

Giving trees will be put up in various community locations on Saturday, Nov. 19 and the family gift pick-up will be Saturday, Dec. 17 at East Troy Bible Church.

Volunteers from the various organizations will work together to purchase, pick-up, wrap and distribute the gifts.

Help for Families in Need

Prospective families in need of the Holiday Help program will be referred by the East Troy Community School District, East Troy Food Pantry, Helping Hands of St. Peter's and other venues.

Families in need of assistance must apply no later than Tuesday, Nov. 15 to receive assistance in 2016. A master list is kept of all registrants and cross checked with the Walworth County Human Services Christmas program to ensure that East Troy families are being served locally.

To apply for this program, families or individuals can contact the East Troy Food Pantry at (262) 642-4357 or 2847 Austin St. on Tuesdays from 7:30-11:30 a.m. or Thursdays from 2:30-4:30 p.m., East Troy School District social worker Anne Jungwirth (262) 642-6760 (x5242), Diane Hamilton
with Helping Hands of St. Peters (262) 642-7225 or Marolyn Komperud, East Troy Family and Community Resource Center (262) 642-4900.