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'Tis season for Stocking Fund giving
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MONROE - Now more than ever, the Monroe Woman's Club is hoping to make the season a little brighter for those in need through its Christmas Stocking Fund.

As America struggles to come to grips with a recession that has no end in sight, more people are finding themselves with less. And that's exactly where the Christmas Stocking Fund comes in.

The annual project of the Monroe Woman's Club provides food boxes, toys and winter coats and boots to families in need throughout the Monroe school district. It also provides Cheer Boxes of homemade holiday goodies.

Last year, the Christmas Stocking helped out more than 600 children and 270 families, said Sue Barrett, publicity chairman for the Christmas Stocking. School officials, counselors and churches supply the Woman's Club with names of families it believes might be in need.

Then, the Woman's Club goes into action.

Families are contacted to see if they need boots or shoes. If so, they are given vouchers worth $20 that can be used at Shopko, WalMart or Farm and Fleet.

Monroe Middle School students have a coat drive, and Monroe One Hour Cleaners donates cleaning services so families needing warm winter gear are taken care of.

Several area businesses have toy drives to help out. Toys are rounded up, and matched to appropriate recipients. Volunteer shoppers use donations to purchase what hasn't been donated to make sure each family member gets a gift. Because of the number of people served, shoppers only can spend about $30 per child, Barrett said.

Donations also are used to purchase groceries for food boxes. Each box contains fixings for a Christmas dinner, plus a little extra, Barrett said.

Typically, a box will include ham, potatoes, vegetables, bread, eggs, honey, jam, jello and cookies. Smaller boxes are put together for seniors. Food boxes are delivered right before Christmas.

Barrett said the number of families the Christmas Stocking Fund serves continues to grow each year. In 2004, the effort served 188. Last year, that number had grown by almost 100, to 274. Given current economic conditions, that number can only get higher.

"We're expecting more numbers this year," she said.

To help out the Christmas Stocking Fund, send donations to 901 6th Ave., Monroe, WI 53566.

A pre-addressed envelope is included inside today's edition.