Holiday assistance available for Brown County
Local organizations are offering holiday assistance to the community depending on the need.
St. Vincent De Paul, 2901 Long Lake Road, will have its Christmas celebration on three Saturdays in December, 5, 12 and 19 from 1 to 4 p.m. Families can register and remain in their vehicles until welcomed into the shopping area to select gifts. Masks will be required and families will be accompanied by a personal shopper to maintain social distancing. Call 812-988-8821 for more information.
The Shop with a Cop program will continue this year through the Brown County Sheriff’s Department. Local police officers will take a number of children to Walmart to pick out Christmas gifts. Children will need transportation.
The Brown County Children’s Fund gives Walmart vouchers for each child in a family. At least one child in the family must attend Brown County schools.
Speak with Brown County school staff or another child-serving agency to be referred to the programs.
Turning Point has wish lists at Amazon, Walmart
Turning Point Domestic Violence Services is offering opportunities for anyone to shop for gifts for its clients online this year.
Each year Turning Point provides clients in need with the opportunity to receive gift assistance through donations. This year, 90 adults and 209 children are on the list.
“In years past, clients have been invited to shop, free of charge, in our office for their children’s holiday gifts,” a press release said. “Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused much concern for the health and safety of our staff and clients and our usual Holiday Store shopping had to be changed.”
This year, donations can be made via online wish lists through Amazon.com and Walmart.com. Links to the lists can be found on Turning Point’s website, turningpointdv.org/events.
Turning point asks that all packages be delivered to the admin office at 1531 13th St., Columbus, IN 47201 and include a gift receipt in the package. Orders must be made by Dec. 14 to ensure they arrive before Christmas.
