Each year since 1987, the Mountain community has come together in the
spirit of the holidays for the Hoodland Community Christmas Basket Program
to make sure that nobody goes without food or gifts for Christmas. Carol
Norgard, who has been a part of the efforts for years, noted that in the past
couple years, the numbers of hats and gloves has increased through the
efforts of the Hoodland Library and others. Those donations make a big

difference for some in the community that often don’t get a focus for the toy
drive: teens.

“I think every child that was on our list got a hat,” Norgard said.

Efforts by businesses and organizations across the Mountain are now in full
swing to make this Christmas a happy one for everyone, including the
traditional Lions Club Christmas Toy Drive and Dinner, starting at 6 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 1, giving trees and locations where donations can be dropped
off. Norgard noted that last year, a bicycle (valued at more than $100) was
donated, but she added that toy donations should be kept under $25 to help
spread the wealth.

Norgard also noted that gift cards are not recommended.

Applications for food baskets and submission of giving tree ideas are available
at the Hoodland Fire District Main Station, 69634 Hwy. 26 in Welches, and can
be dropped off at the Clackamas County Bank, the Welches School, the
Welches Library, Welches Mountain Building Supply and the Adventist Medical
Clinic.

Norgard added that organizers take four days at the Lions Club to sort the
food, create the boxes and then have people pick them up. Baskets will be
distributed to the community by Saturday, Dec. 22.

Christmas Dinner details
The Lions Club Christmas Toy Drive and Dinner will feature roast beef and
ham, veggies, salad and more, doors opening at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at
the corner of Woodsey Way and Hwy. 26 in Welches. Please bring a new,
unwrapped toy, and if possible, a donation of nonperishable food. Advance
purchase tickets are $12 and available from any Lions Club member, at
Welches Mountain Building Supply, the Barlow Trail Roadhouse, Thriftway,
Coffee Brewsters, Mt. Hood Roasters and Govy General.

Christmas baskets
Donation drop off locations are at: Hoodland Branch of Clackamas County
Bank, Welches Mountain Building Supply, Coffee Brewsters, Brightwood
Tavern, McKenzie Dental, the Hoodland Adventist Medical Clinic, Govy General
and Mt. Hood Foods.

The Hoodland Senior Center can help with applications, while the Welches
School also sends out information packets and accepts applications.
The Hoodland Library accepts hats, gloves and scarves, while the Hoodland
Thriftway offers $10 food bags to benefit the basket program.

Giving Tree
Those who turn in applications by Dec. 5 can request a specific gift for their
child (up to $25). The requests are given a code and “tags” are sent out to
various locations, including the Welches School, Welches Mountain Building
Supply and the Hoodland Branch of the Clackamas County Bank.

For more information, call 503-622-4111 or 503-936-1896.