The Holiday Help of East Troy program will continue this year featuring a collaborative approach to assisting local families in need. 

    Local charities are getting a kick start on holiday donations, to make sure they have enough resources to help this holiday season.

    “It is through the generous support of local businesses, churches, organizations and community members that this program is able to continue,” said East Troy Family and Community Resource Center coordinator Marolyn Komperud, who leads the 11-year-old initiative. Komperud said the community partnership program model makes it easier than ever to provide families in need with gifts, winter clothing and a holiday meal during the holiday season.

    On average the program serves over 75 families, which impacts anywhere from 150-200 children from the East Troy Community School District boundaries.

    Here are ways to give this year.

1. Monetary donations

     Monetary donations for the Holiday Help Program can be sent to the East Troy Family Community Resource Center, PO Box 962, East Troy, WI 53120.

    Donations are preferred by Dec. 13 but will be accepted through Dec. 31.

    A donation of $100 covers a family meal and a donation of $50 covers a gas gift card for holiday or travel. No donation is too big or small and all donations will ensure that Holiday Help can serve the East Troy community for years to come.

    Online giving options are available through East Troy Family & Community Resource Center Facebook Page or website at easttroyfamily.org

2. Toy drive

     The East Troy Lions Club is collecting gifts for children birth to 16 years of age for its new toy drive.

    Their drive will start on Nov. 18. Donations can be dropped off at toy collection barrels at the following locations: Citizens Bank- East Brook, 2541 Main St. Unit A; Dollar General, 2579 Church St.; First Citizens State Bank, 2546 E. Main St. and Hansen’s IGA East Troy, 3238 Main St. through Dec. 14.

3. Gift giving trees

     Giving trees to purchase gifts for local children will be located at Realty Executives Integrity, 2887 Main St.; St. James United Methodist Church, 2945 Main St.; and St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 1981 Beulah Ave., beginning Nov. 19. Wrapped donations are due no later than Dec. 7.

4. Secret Santa for the Manor

     State Farm Insurance -Tim Werwie, 2106 Church St. on the square, is seeking East Troy community members/groups to serve as secret Santa’s by purchasing gifts for residents of East Troy Manor.

    Tags will be available Nov. 25. Wrapped donations are due no later than Dec. 16.

5. Don’t forget the teens 

    Provide gift cards for teens at the following:

    Citizens Bank at Hansen’s IGA and East Brook branch will be collecting $15 gift cards for teens. Gift cards to 2894 on Main, Cousins, Culver’s, Dollar General, Gus’s, InkLink Books, Kohls, Kwik Trip, Starbucks, Subway, Taco Bell, Target & Walmart.

    Gift cards can also be donated at any ETCSD school, Attn: Holiday Help/Kim Pluess or at the East Troy Family & Community Resource Center.

6. Covering the necessities

    “Each year, various local businesses provide donations sites for much needed general use items that help families beyond Christmas,” Komperud.

    “These are items that really can affect a family’s bottom dollar. This year donations of any of these items can be dropped off at any participating location to make it easier for donors to just have one stop.”

     All drives run Nov. 20-Dec. 9 unless otherwise noted.

    The following businesses will be participating:

• Citizens Bank – Hansen’s IGA, 3238 Main St., and East Brook Branch, 2541 E. Main St., Unit A

• First Citizens State Bank-East Troy Office, 2546 Main St.

• Martins Hardware – Rental & Pet, 3288 Main St.

• The Hive Taproom, W2463 County Rd ES

• Wanezek Family Dentistry, 2564 Main St, East Troy,

    Donations of the following items are greatly appreciated: socks, underwear and pajamas (toddler through adult); all sizes of infant/ toddler diapers, wipes and essentials; four packs of toilet paper, single or double rolls of paper towel and Kleenex; cleaning supplies, laundry soap and dish soap; hygiene items, such as deodorant, shaving cream, feminine hygiene products, soaps, shampoo, conditioner and body wash.

Help for Families in Need

    Prospective families in need of the Holiday Help program can apply through the East Troy Community School District, East Troy Family and Community Resource Center and East Troy Food Pantry.

    Families in need of assistance must apply no later than Friday, Nov. 15 to receive assistance this year. Eligible families should reside in the East Troy Community School District, have children ages birth to 18 (high school senior) and be experiencing financial hardship.

    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 Kim Pluess (262) 642-6760 (x5242) or Marolyn Komperud, East Troy Family and Community Resource Center at (262) 642-4900 or easttroyfamily@gmail.com.