Samaritan Center still needs help 20 senior citizens, 34 families still up for adoption

With Thanksgiving drawing near, area residents are being encouraged to remember those less fortunate.

The Jefferson City Samaritan Center is hoping the holiday season will encourage families, office groups and civic organizations to adopt the remaining 34 families and 20 senior citizens in its annual Christmas adoption program.

Over 560 families and 61 senior citizens signed up for the program this year.

"It makes the community all the richer," Marylyn DeFeo, volunteer executive director of the Samaritan Center, said of the community's involvement. "When you reach out and help somebody, it comes back full circle to your heart."

The program provides each family with a gift for each child, a gift for the parents and a gift card for a Christmas meal. A $43 contribution provides a hot turkey dinner and fruit basket for senior citizens and a gift is encouraged.

Other opportunities to contribute include donating new toys for Santa's Workshop which allows parents not in the adoption program to select presents for their children from Dec. 6-16. The center also welcomes donations of hams and turkeys for Christmas dinners.

Those interested in adopting a family or senior citizen or providing assistance should call Anne Carmichael, deputy director of the center, at (573) 634-7776.

Marilyn DeFeo