The Newtown Fund has for many years helped Newtown’s residents in need around the December holidays. Most referrals come through the town’s Social Service Department or local clergy. Families, couples, and individuals — who are referred to The Fund by Newtown Social Services — receive emergency donations throughout the year but the holiday season is the time when the fund, and residents, provide the most help to make their holiday and their lives brighter.

The Holiday Basket Program holds its collection and distribution on what is referred to as Depot Day — a Saturday, approximately ten days prior to Christmas, when all donations are sorted and then delivered to the families who will receive food and gifts in time for the holiday.

This year’s Depot Day has been scheduled for Saturday, December 12. It will take place at Fraser Woods School, 173 South Main Street.

There are plenty of opportunities to help, whether it is to donate one needed item for one family, dozens of the same thing, or to volunteer time.

*Adopt a Local Family: All food for holiday meal and gifts for each family member.

*Financial Donation: Mail check payable to The Newtown Fund and mail to The Newtown Fund, PO Box 641, Newtown CT 06470.

The Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) charity, which makes all donations tax deductible.

*Donate Items: New clothing, bedding, toys, food, etc.

*Purchase A Gift Through the Tag-A-Gift Program: Each child (ages 0-18) whose family is being helped with the Holiday Basket program is allowed two wished-for gifts.

The public is asked to pick up an ornament with a tag listing the gender, age, and wish. Newtown Junior Woman’s Club will be launching this year’s Tag-A-Gift program shortly. Details will be announced in The Newtown Bee.

*Help Unload Items For Donation: Depot Day setup work will be done Friday, December 11, beginning at 5:30 pm at Fraser Woods School. Volunteers will also be needed to help with additional unloading, as well as sorting and loading for delivery on Depot Day.

*Wrap Gifts & Help Organize: Gifts and items going to families are delivered to Fraser Woods unwrapped, so they need to be gift wrapped before they are delivered to their recipients. Help is needed Friday night and Saturday morning at Fraser Woods.

*Deliver To Families: Deliveries will be ready to go out from Fraser Woods at by late morning December 12.

*Help In Kitchen: Volunteers are also needed to help organize breakfast and lunch for the Depot Day volunteers.

Contact Linda Bates, 203-426-5189 or LBatesCPA@aol.com for additional information or to volunteer for any aspect of this year’s Depot Day. For more information about The Newtown Fund or to volunteer for the Holiday Basket program, visit thenewtownfund.org.