It’s Giving Tree season!

Reporter’s community Christmas
tree will be ready Monday
The Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter will kick off its 18th Giving Tree program Monday, Nov. 26. That’s the first day ornaments featuring the Christmas wishes of Clear Lake and Ventura youngsters will be hung on the Giving Tree at the Mirror-Reporter office, 12 N. 4th St.
Information has been distributed at Clear Lake and Ventura Schools, as well as the local Head Start program, inviting parents who might need some help providing gifts to their children this holiday season to sign up. Although toys are always welcomed and appreciated, the Giving Tree program focuses on meeting clothing and food needs for children and families.
The program has grown significantly through the years. Last year, more than 200 gifts were collected for children and families in Clear Lake and Ventura.
Parents should sign up their children for the program using the forms sent home with students. Additional forms are available at the schools. Those who do not have a child in the school system or Head Start may pick up a form at the Mirror-Reporter office.
Based upon information by parents, ornaments are created for each child or family in need. All information is kept in strict confidence.
Local residents or groups are invited to stop in the Mirror-Reporter office and select an ornament from the tree. The ornaments identify the gender of the child, along with their clothing size. New clothing or toys may be purchased by those selecting the gift ornaments from the tree.
Ornaments for those families requesting help in purchasing food for the holidays state how many members are in their family. Non-perishable food items, or food gift certificates, may be purchased by those selecting food ornaments from the tree.
Wrapped gifts, with the Giving Tree ornament firmly attached, must be returned to the Reporter office by Thursday, Dec. 13. Families will be contacted when gifts are complete.