Post 29 accepting basket applications, offering party
Trending
ELKINS -- The Post 29 H.W. Daniels American Legion is currently accepting Christmas dinner basket applications for those in need during the holiday season.
Post 29 will also hold its annual Christmas party for children this weekend.
Applications for the Christmas baskets will be accepted through Friday. The baskets are for Randolph County residents only. Identification, proof of residency, and all forms of income are required to complete the applications, which must be filled out at the Post 29 headquarters on Railroad Avenue in Elkins.
Letters to recipients will be mailed out beginning on Dec. 11. Baskets will be distributed on Dec. 16 from 8 a.m. until noon. The letter, along with a form of identification, must be brought when picking up baskets.
"There are a lot of good people out there who need help during the holidays, and we are happy to be able to help them out," American Legion Post 29 Adjutant Mike Cardinal told The Inter-Mountain. "In the past we have helped some pretty good-sized families, including last year when we gave a basket to a family of nine."
Cardinal said in the past the American Legion distributed as many as 130 baskets to families in need, but noted the number of applicants has been down in the years since COVID hit.
"I'd like to see at least 100 families get baskets this year," said Cardinal. "People have donated money and they've donated food to us, so we have enough to take care of the baskets. We do pretty good with helping the families we can and of course the money that is donated and not used is saved for the following year. It's an ongoing project and it helps a lot of good families."
The baskets will contain more than enough items to feed a family a good meal on Christmas, officials said.
"We provide turkey, potatoes, apples, bread, stuffing and canned food items," Cardinal said. "We send a letter out to the schools in November and the ones who want to participate, give us canned foods. Last year they collected around 1,000 cans of food for us."
Two days before the distribution, American Legion Post 29 personnel and members of Boy Scout Troop 66 will arrange the baskets and get them ready to go out to families.
"We put the baskets together pretty quick with the Boy Scouts helping us out," Cardinal said. "We set it up like Henry Ford did on an assembly line, and it usually takes us about two-and-a-half to three hours. After we are done, we sit around with the Boy Scouts and enjoy some pizza and soda."
The annual Christmas party for children, which is organized by the Post 29 Auxiliary, will be offered Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Calain Hall at the Post 29 headquarters. As in the past, children attending the party will be treated to snacks, a small gift, and a visit with Santa Claus.
"The auxiliary has been holding the Christmas party for a lot of years now," said American Legion Post 29 Commander John Miller. "They always do a good job with it and all the kids who attend have a really good time."
The Christmas party is for children 12 years old and under. Those attending will be able to have a photo taken with Santa Claus, and will construct Christmas cards for veterans in the area. Last year's event saw close to 60 children attend.