We’re close to the end of our annual “Adopt-a-Family or the Holidays” drive, but we haven’t heard from many of you about your plans. We need everyone who can to participate, and we are approaching crisis time to fulfill our commitment.

While Columbia High School is partnering with us to adopt a five-member family for the Circles of Mercy project, our club has accepted just two needs: (1.) A two-person family (mother and child) to care for. (2.) And, putting together 50-100 personal hygiene kits that Circles distributes each holiday season. But,  we need to know how many each member will create and we still are in the dark about that because of the unexpected lack of responses from many of you.

We have only the next two SRC dinner meetings left (December 6 and 13) to donate the gifts, which Bill and April Dowd are collecting to deliver to Circles of Mercy by that family support organization’s deadline.

Here’s what you need to know to help:

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PERSONAL HYGIENE KIT / CIRCLES OF MERCY

Each kit should contain all the items below and be small enough to fit into a backpack pocket with ease. Odorless products are best due to allergies. Items to be placed in Glad-brand zip-lock heavy duty bags (one gallon size). All need to be travel-sized containers of:

• shampoo
• hair conditioner
• toothpaste
• dental floss
• toothbrush
• breath strips
• mouthwash
• small first-aid kit (i.e. assorted Band-Aids and antiseptic such as Neosporin)
• very small travel-size sewing kit (minimum thread and needle)
• deodorant
• soap or body wash
• hand sanitizer
• lotion
• lip balm (such as Chapstick)
• combs, brushes and hair bands
  

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Please put together your kits and bring them to this week’s meeting or next week’s. After that, it’s too late.

As to the family of two, several members have pledged several items from the “needs” and “nice to have” wish list, but we need a few more. Here is the original shopping list we sent you several times:

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All we have so far are the gift cards, a hoody, and some socks and gloves for mom, and the “Magic the Gathering” cards for the child. Obviously that is not enough to create a happy holiday for these people who are far less fortunate than we.

Please respond to this email ASAP to let us know (a) if you will help at all, and (b) what you plan to bring to one of  the next two SRC dinner meetings.

We need your help in the true spirit of Rotary. This is an excellent opportunity for SRC members who are less involved than the core of members who do the bulk of the heavy lifting to keep us viable as a community service organization.

Thank you for all you do. Every bit helps your fellow human beings.

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