Ontonagon group working toward Christmas 2019

ONTONAGON - Christmas has been over for more than a month, but the group which helps to create a good Christmas for those in need are still working toward Christmas 2019.

Dee Preiss, Treasurer of the St. Nicholas Project, reported to the Ontonagon-White Pine Rotary Wednesday that the public was "very generous this Christmas." "Because of that generosity the St. Nicholas Project this Christmas served 178 families in the north and south of the county, 108 children, 70 adult gifts for those alone and 49 gifts for those in Foster Care Homes." We have been truly blessed," Preiss added.

The Marine Corps toys enabled the St. Nicholas Project to add some clothing for kids, in the clothing room. The distribution included many kinds of books for children, which were purchased at the school book fair.

Preiss added some other donations included, tooth brushes for the children from Dr. Joe Strong, oranges and apples which they bought from the Operation Graduation fruit sale. She said a group of women made Christmas cookies and lunch was served on distribution day.

She also explained that with the approval of the Marine Corps League they were able to share with a group that served 40 kids at a White Pine Party.

At the conclusion of the Rotary Meeting Preiss was presented with a check for $1,781.48 which was the money collected at the Red Kettle when the rotary rang the bell for the Salvation Army at holiday time. Rotarian Marilyn Anderson, who chaired the Salvation Army project made the presentation to Preiss.

-Jan Tucker