ACCEPT gearing up for 25th year of giving

Applications begin December 3


 

 

Atascosa County Christmas Elf Project Target 2012 is also referred to as ACCEPT 2012 and is a major community effort to help make Christmas a happy time for all residents of Atascosa County. The project began in 1985 as a food drive of the Pleasanton Noon Lions Club to provide some Christmas baskets for a few families in need.

The response on the part of the business community and churches was so positive and the identified need so great, Msgr. John Wagner and Rev. Bill Lawrence were asked to put together a larger community project through the newly formed Atascosa Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM). Soon it grew to be so large that in 1988 it became an independent project rather than being solely dependent upon the Atascosa Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM).

Toys and gifts were added for children and youth. ACCEPT has served a total of 11,947 families from 1988 through 2010. Last year, 2011, 448 families were served and 836 toys and gifts along with $5,310 in cash vouchers were distributed. These vouchers are honored by grocery stores in Atascosa County. No alcoholic or tobacco products are covered by these vouchers and no change is given.

Atascosa County is experiencing a rate of unemployment on a par with our surrounding counties this year, but we continue to have a very high rate of underemployment. Our senior citizens are asked to do with less because of increases in the cost of health insurance withheld from their subsidy checks. The churches in our communities have experienced a steady increase of families seeking financial help in paying for utilities, school supplies and food from them. ACCEPT 2012 will need to prepare for at least 550 families this year of 2012.

To continue supporting ACCEPT 2012 with donations of time, talent, food, toys, gifts and other resources.

Please send checks to: ACCEPT 2012 c/o St. Andrew Catholic Church, 626 Market St., Pleasanton, TX 78064

Application Dates and sites: (Family may apply at any location)

PLEASANTON

Monday, Dec. 3 through Saturday Dec. 8, 9 a.m.- Noon – First Baptist Youth Bldg., 311 Smith St.

JOURDANTON

Monday, Dec. 3 – Friday, Dec. 7 – First Baptist Church, Hwy. 16 (Corner of Peach & Campbell)

Saturday, Dec. 8 – 9 a.m.- noon – St. Matthews Church, Classroom #5, 1608 Campbell St.

POTEET

Saturday, Dec. 8 – 9 a.m.- noon – Poteet Fire Station, 530 Ave. H.

CHARLOTTE

Wednesday, Dec. 5- Saturday Dec. 8 – 9 a.m.- noon – Rev. John Wagner Family Center, 333 Madero Ave.

Applications for all locations will not be accepted after December 8, 2012. Dates for sorting, wrapping, setting up and distributing at St. Andrew Parish Hall will be:

Sunday, December 16 –
3 p.m. -7 p.m.
Monday, December 17 –
9 a.m.- 9 p.m.

Tuesday, December 18 –
9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Wednesday, December 18 –
9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Thursday, December 19 –
9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday, December 20 –
8 a.m. – ??

ITEMS NEEDED

Non-perishable food list:

Canned Vegetables – green beans, peas, corn, mixed vegetables, spinach, beets, tomatoes, yams, potatoes, hominy

Canned Fruit/Fruit Juices – peaches, pineapple, apple, fruit pie fillings, oranges, prunes, fruit cocktail, pears, grapes, cherries, etc.

Canned meat/peanut butter – tuna, chicken, turkey, spam, ham, etc.

Soups – chicken, beef, Ramen, tomato, vegetable

Baby food items – canned milk, cereal/baby fruits/ juices, etc.

Dried staple foods (1,2,3 or 5 pound bags) – flour, sugar, rice, beans, pastas

Gift Categories:

Baby dolls, Barbie, Ken, Fashion Dolls with extra outfits, Action Figures (GI Joe, Power Rangers etc.), games, sports items (basketball, football, soccer, volleyball), toiletries (after shave, male/ female cologne), wallets for males, purses for females, stuffed animals, cars/trucks, baby gifts (0-18 months).

Please do not wrap gifts. Please include batteries for any battery operated toys. (We cannot accept clothing.)


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