By Staff
Melissa Cason
Franklin County Times
The Faith Mission Outreach (FMO) in Russellville is preparing for the upcoming holiday season by asking community members to reach out to someone less fortunate this holiday season.
FMO has several ways to turn an ordinary day into an extraordinary one. After Thanksgiving, the Mission will bring back its Dove Tree project. Doves will be placed on a Christmas tree, each containing the age and gender of one child.
"The main thing we need to stress is that we need people to pick up a dove and to bring a toy back to the mission," FMO volunteer Rochelle Mangino said.
She added that the Mission hopes to provide two gifts for every child this year instead of just one. However, whether get one gift or two will be determined by the amount of generosity received this holiday season.
"In the past,, every child received a gift at our Christmas banquet," Mangino said. "We hope to give two gifts to each child this year if we have enough toy donations because what we provide may be the only Christmas gifts some kids will get."
This is the fifth year the Mission has held the Dove Tree project, and while they have had a good response, there are always more that can be helped and served.
"We have to turn so many away that need help because we don't always have the resources to provide for them," Mangino said.
Another way to help the Mission – both this holiday season and year-round – is through monetary contributions. The mission is a non-profit organization and all donations are tax-deductible.
"We really need a lot of help this year," Mangino said. "We are seeing so many more people in need this year."
She said the price increases at the checkout lines and at the gas pumps have really put a squeeze on families this year, and she anticipates more families and individuals will look to the Mission for assistance this holiday season.
The Mission sees hundreds of families per week, providing them with a bag of groceries and clothing and other essential items.
For more information on the services offered by the FMO, or to make a contribution, call 331-GIVE.