Last year, Callaway County residents helped the Fulton Sun gather hundreds of hats, scarves, gloves and mittens to donate to SERVE, Inc.
Starting Wednesday, the newspaper once again is seeking help from readers and area residents to decorate the Fulton Sun Warming Tree. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 16.
According to Julie Roark, director of SERVE's Callaway Action Network and coordinator of the organization's Adopt-a-Family program, requests for these kinds of items are up this year.
"I've been doing the wish lists and I'm seeing a tremendous number of little kids, and almost No. 1 on everybody's list is coats, mittens, scarves, so there's definitely a need," Roark said.
Also this year, the Fulton Rotary and the Fulton Sun are partnering up to conduct a coat and blanket drive.
Donors are asked to bring new and gently-used, clean coats and blankets which also will be turned in to SERVE and Our House. The Callaway County YMCA, ReMax Select, Central Bank, C&R Market and the Fulton Sun will serve as collection points. There also will be barrels out during the Christmas parade on Dec. 1.
Mary Ann Beahon, public relations chair for the Rotary, said her organization wanted to do something that would benefit both SERVE and Our House as the directors of both organizations are members.
"We try to support both organizations as much as we can, and coats and blankets, these are necessary things for people to have as it gets colder," Beahon said.
Fulton Sun editor Karen Atkins said she is looking forward to another strong response from the Callaway County community.
"The community's generosity last year brought tears to my eyes each time I looked at the decorated Warming Tree. Those of us that are blessed to have warm clothes need to reach out to our less fortunate neighbors again this year," Atkins said.