Lions Christmas Baskets may set county record

Published 4:00 pm Wednesday, December 23, 2009

The Elks Christmas Basket crew and the Harvey elves were “behind the 8-ball, because of the great need” on Monday, Dec. 21, according to Chuck Haines, co-chair of the annual basket program.

However, he expected everything to come together Wednesday morning, Dec. 23, for a record delivery of boxes full of food and gifts to families all over Wallowa County.

“Right now we’re up to 240 households with 770 individuals,” he said.

That far surpasses the 2008 delivery of 208 baskets helping 556 individuals, which was a record. A steady increase, with a couple of surges, of names have been added to the initial list of needy families as more information and

There were 30 gift tags left in the Tree of Giving, but gifts have been purchased for those out of the cash donation fund.

A windfall of food through food drives at the three Wallowa Valley school districts, plus extra donations from organizations and extra fruit from the county food bank, will make sure all basket recipients have a bountiful Christmas dinner (with leftovers).

“The community has stepped up tremendously, from all walks of life and ages,” Haines said.