The Holiday Needs Program helps bring Christmas gifts to families in need in Leelanau County.
These presents come through NW Michigan Marine Toys for Tots and donations to Leelanau Christian Neighbors (LCN). Volunteers distribute the gifts at the VFW in Lake Leelanau Tuesday.
LCN Executive Director Mary Stanton said that her organization distributes new, unwrapped toys for children through Toys for Tots. But to provide a “more robust,” well-rounded program that reaches people of all ages in the community, LCN solicits gift and cash donations for teens, ‘tweens, and adults.
“After all, a mother deserves Christmas presents too,” Stanton said.
Stanton encourages people to give the same gifts that they would to family members on Christmas, like clothes, pajamas, cosmetics, and gift cards to Meijer, Gap, Old Navy, and the AMC movie theater in Traverse City. Bath and hygiene products are also accepted, but Stanton says LCN has other programs that deliver those essentials to people who need them.
LCN and Toys for Tots will continue accepting donations through Monday. Volunteers are also welcome to join the LCN in setting up at the VFW “Little Finger” Post 7731 from 1-4 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16 to distribute gifts the following day.
Families who wish to receive gifts must register at one of the LCN’s sign-up events. There have already been four out of five sign-up dates, and 65 families have registered. Stanton said she expects that number to more than double. In 2023, the Holiday Needs Program provided gifts to 170 families.
The last sign-up event will be held Dec. 16 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. at the LCN headquarters at 7322 E. Duck Lake Rd. in Lake Leelanau.
Gifts for older children, teens, and adults are accepted at the LCN office and next door at Samaritan’s Closet. Toys for Tots has many drop-off sites located in stores throughout the county, including:
• Brain Storm, Hansen Foods, Suttons Bay Dental Center, Edward Jones, and Fifth Third Bank in Suttons Bay
• Tom’s Food Market in Northport and Elmwood townships • The Leland Township Library
• Bunek True Value Hardware and Traverse Catholic Federal Credit Union in Lake Leelanau
• Bunting’s Cedar Market in Cedar
• Maple Valley Nursing Home and M.C. Short Stop in Maple City
• Cherry Republic and Anderson’s Glen Arbor Market in Glen Arbor
• Leelanau Studios and West End Tavern in Elmwood Township.