How to help the community this holiday season

Alex Hargrave
Posted 12/18/20

It’s the season of giving during what’s been a difficult year for everyone.

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How to help the community this holiday season

Posted

GOSHEN COUNTY – It’s the season of giving during what’s been a difficult year for everyone. If you can, here’s how you can help throughout the remainder of this holiday season. 

Giving tree at Points West
Community Bank

PWCB has a giving tree in its Main Street lobby again this year, where community members can take a homemade ornament made by clients of Diversified Services Inc. (DSI) and purchase a few items on their list. 

Those who want to come in and take an ornament are asked to do so by Dec. 18 and bring gifts back in by Dec. 22. Tanya Lee, the PWCB employee in charge of the tree this year, said she would deliver the gifts to DSI clients on Dec. 23.

“I absolutely love doing this each year,” Lee said. “I always choose a couple ornaments off the tree personally. It’s for a good cause, and it truly warms your heart. I just wish I could see their faces when they open the gifts.”

Lee said there are a few ornaments remaining, listing a variety of items, including University of Wyoming Cowboys gear and craft projects.

“I am a little concerned we will have a hard time getting the rest of the ornaments picked up this year as the foot traffic in our lobby has been less than usual,” Lee said.

Giving tree at Vandel Drug

Vandel Drug has a giving tree in its store on Main Street, where community members can take a tag and purchase Christmas gifts for a child or senior adult. 

Gifts should be returned to Vandel Drug on or before Dec. 19, as Goshen HELP will distribute them the week of Christmas, according to their website. 

Holiday food drive at Transwest Ford

Transwest Ford on M Street in Torrington is hosting a food drive to benefit Goshen HELP, a local nonprofit with a food pantry and other programs for Goshen County residents in need.

The dealership will accept food or financial donations through Dec. 22. 

“We’re hoping to help out and get a bunch of food donated, especially this time of year. I think it’s even more critical with the world the way it is right now,” said Transwest Ford General Manager Alessandro Meloni.

Salvation Army donations
and bell ringing

The Salvation Army classic red kettle is stationed outside of Main Street Market until Dec. 24. Donations will benefit Goshen County residents who might need an emergency hotel stay, transportation or medical help, according to Kyle Borger, director of Goshen HELP. 

Those interested in bell ringing can sign up at GoshenHELP.com under the tab, “ring the bell.”

Borger told The Telegram earlier in the season that more patrons donate when a volunteer is stationed at a kettle.

“(Without a volunteer), over the whole season, we might get $25,” Borger said. “If I have a bell ringer there, I can get in a day’s time period, especially if they’re there all day, about $1,000.”

Santa’s Helpers

Santa’s Helpers is a community event held annually in Torrington for the past two and a half decades. 

Organizer Shawn Madden said the event would be modified this year, but they plan on delivering traditional holiday meals and age-appropriate gifts to registered children. Each of the children will also be given a warm winter hat and a pair of gloves.

“All donated money comes from local businesses and people,” Madden said.

“We need volunteers,” Co-organizer Louis Kuhnel told The Telegram. “We are looking for someone with a strong back to help lift.”

On Thursday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. on, volunteers are being sought to assist with heavy lifting, wrapping gifts and sacking candy at the Goshen County Fairgrounds. Gift wrapping will begin at 1 p.m. 

On Friday, Dec. 18, from 4 p.m. on, volunteers are needed to help prepare the meals and cleanup. 

On Sat. Dec. 19, Santa’s Helpers could use assistance in the kitchen, getting gifts lined up and ushering vehicles in the parking lot.

Kuhnel said volunteers would be required to social distance and wear a mask at all times.

Contact Kuhnel at (307) 532-1632 with any questions about lending a hand at this year’s event.

Waggin’ Tails Shelter donations

Waggin’ Tails Shelter in Torrington is accepting donations to fund their day to day operations.

Those interested in helping can visit the donation box in the 21st and Main building near the Goshen County Economic Development desk, visit the shelter on East 11th Avenue or message the shelter’s Facebook page, Waggin’ Tails Shelter - Torrington, WY.

Community Service Officer Teri Shinost runs the shelter. She said monetary donations fund basic supplies as well as unforeseen medical costs for animals who often come into the shelter sick or needing extra care. They are also saving to purchase a new cat kennel that can cost more than $3,000.

The shelter also accepts donations of cleaning supplies, Dawn dish soap, cat and dog food (preferably Purina brand) and space heaters so dogs can have extra warmth in their kennels. 

The shelter had to cancel their vaccination clinic due to the pandemic, which not only raises funds for Waggin’ Tails but also ensures area animals are properly vaccinated.

“I’ve been doing this 31 years, and this is the first year I have ever had to deal with an illness called panleukopenia in the cats,” Shinost said. “We treated a couple of cats for it and managed to save them because it is almost always a fatal illness.”

Shinost said volunteers are also welcome and can reach out to the shelter via Facebook for more information. There are also cats and dogs awaiting a new home. Anyone interested in adopting can set up an appointment to meet the animals.

If you know of additional programs or ways to help this season, call our office at 307-532-2184 or send an email to ldailey@torringtontelegram.com.