Beacon helps brighten Christmas for kids

By Jason E. Silvers

Herald-Tribune

Fort Scott, Kan. --The Adopt-A-Child program needs help from those who wish to spread good cheer to the less fortunate this holiday season.

The Beacon, a non-profit community assistance network that has provided food, clothing and other assistance to needy Bourbon County families since 1985, recently collaborated with the Southeast Kansas Community Action Program, to institute a more efficient holiday assistance program.

The Beacon toy store and food distribution programs, both successful endeavors over the years, were eliminated this year as the two agencies decided to join forces in order to design a more cost-efficient holiday program.

The Adopt-A-Child program, a new effort by both agencies, got off to a slow start but has been picking up steam in recent weeks, Beacon Director Bob Eckles said.

"We're doing well," Eckles said. "We still need people to provide help, whether they be volunteers or sponsors," he said.

There has recently been an increased number of eligible children to adopt, Eckles said. The program, financially supported by SEK-CAP, is aiming to help children 14 years of age and younger who come from low-income families, he said.

There are 25 families currently registered to receive assistance from the program and 20 families, including about 45 children, that still need sponsorship, Eckles said. Following a recent Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce-sponsored meeting, one local business picked up two of the families, he said.

Volunteers and sponsors who choose to help with the program will be able to find out from the child's parents exactly what that child's specific needs and wants are, such as toys, food and clothing. Each donor is encouraged to spend $25 per child and wrap the gifts before delivering them. Groups will also be assembled to help carry packages later this month when items are distributed.

Toy and food packages will be distributed from noon to 4 p.m. on Dec. 22 at the Community Christian Church, 1919 S. Horton St., Eckles said.

Eckles also said 200 applications for food baskets are available to be picked up at two locations in Fort Scott -- the Elks Lodge, 111 W. 19th St., and The Beacon, 525 E. 6th St. Elks members will deliver food packages on Dec. 17, Eckles said.

More than 400 families and children received toy packages through the toy store last year, while about 263 families and 863 people received food packages during the organization's food drive last year. The Beacon, which is supported financially through donations from local churches, businesses, civic organizations, schools and the public, provides food, clothing and financial assistance to about 800 families each month.

For more information or to volunteer, call Eckles at (620) 223-6869.