We know our listeners are dedicated to serving the community in different ways year-round. Whether it be through area churches or various non-profit organizations, many of the KEDM listeners enjoy giving back to the local community.
The holiday season is upon us, and we know it is sometimes hard to continue these acts of service with the hustle and bustle of this special season. However, the holidays seem to bring a sense of community like no other time of year.
This year, KEDM invites your family to serve together this holiday season and do a little something extra for those less fortunate in our area. Our listening area encompasses several organizations that need an extra helping hand.
The Christmas Project sponsored by the Center for Children and Families
Individuals can request a child's wish list on The Christmas Project website. To complete the wish list, purchase one complete outfit (shirt, pants, shoes, and coat) and a Christmas gift the child would like most. After shopping for your sponsored child, drop off the gifts to 622 Riverside Dr. in Monroe, LA, with the wish list attached no later than December 2. For more information contact Adam McDonald at
(318) 398-0945.
Stuff A Bus sponsored by the Center for Children and Families
Individuals can donate toys or gift cards for young children and teenagers to the RV located outside of the food court entrance at the Pecanland Mall in Monroe, LA, from December 2 through December 4. Individuals are welcome to drop off donations to the "Stuff A Bus" 24 hours a day during the campaign. This year, there is a special need for teenager gifts and gift cards in addition to gifts for children of all ages. For more information and a list of gift ideas, visit the Stuff A Bus website or contact Mandy Strickland at MStrickland@HopeForNela.org.
The Center for Children and Families
Unable to stop by Stuff A Bus or would like to fund a child's wish list instead of doing the shopping? Make a monetary donation online at https://www.gofundme.com/standforhope.
Coat Drive sponsored by ULM's Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
Individuals can donate gently worn coats to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity's coat drive on November 19 from 11-1 p.m. in the Quad on the University of Louisiana at Monroe's campus. For more information, contact Laura Knotts at knotts@ulm.edu or call (318) 342-5286.
Red Cross Collection and Letters to Our Armed Forces sponsored by ULM's Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity
Individuals can donate necessary hygiene items, such as toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorant, etc., for the Red Cross between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. November 16-20 under the University of Louisiana at Monroe's Student Union Building overhang. Individuals are also welcome to write letters to send to our Armed Forces. For more information and donation drop-off assistance, contact Laura Knotts at knotts@ulm.edu or call (318) 342-5286.
Angel Tree sponsored by The Salvation Army
Individuals can adopt an Angel by choosing an Angel tag off of the Angel Tree in Pecanland Mall in Monroe, LA. Each Angel tag lists a wish list of items the child would like most. Drop off the unwrapped gifts for your Angel with the Angel tag attached to the Salvation Army located at 105 Hart St., in Monroe, LA, no later than December 14. For more information, visit The Salvation Army's Facebook page or call (318) 325-1755.
Angel Tree sponsored by ULM's Student Government Association and The Salvation Army
Individuals can adopt an Angel by choosing an Angel tag off of the Angel Tree located in ULM's Student Center lobby just outside of the Student Government Association office. Each Angel tag lists a wish list of items the child would like most. Drop off the unwrapped gifts for your Angel with the Angel tag attached to the ULM Student Government Association office no later than December 1 at 2 p.m. For more information, contact Laura Knotts at knotts@ulm.edu or call (318) 342-5286.
Christmas Child Outreach sponsored by Grace Place Ministries, Inc.
Individuals can adopt a child by contacting Grace Place Ministries, Inc. at (318) 361-9702. To complete the adopted child's wish list, purchase a new blanket, cap, pair of gloves, and a bag of goodies the child would like most. For more information, contact Grace Place Ministries, Inc. at (318) 361-9702.
Angel Tree sponsored by St. Francis Medical Center and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Individuals can adopt a child by stopping by St. Francis Medical Center's Volunteer Services at 309 Jackson St. in Monroe, LA, or by calling (318) 966-4133. For more information, contact St. Francis Medical Center's Volunteer Services at (318) 966-4133.
Donate Nonperishable Food sponsored by the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana
The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana has a great need for nonperishable food items. Donations are accepted at 4600 Central Ave. in Monroe, LA, between 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Food Bank of NELA's "wish list" includes protein items (canned tuna, canned salmon, peanut butter, canned or dry beans), canned veggies, canned fruit, applesauce, box cereals, oat meal, grits, mac and cheese, and "meals in a can" (ravioli, beef stew, etc.). For more information, contact Jean Toth at jtoth@fbnela.org.
Request for Donations sponsored by Rays of Sonshine
Rays of Sonshine is in need of: gifts for the children of mothers in the program; game from hunters; and donations of equipment and funds to repair The Zone food pantry damaged by break-ins. Donations can be dropped off to Rays of Sonshine located at 200 Breard Street in Monroe, LA. For more information, visit the Rays of Sonshine website or call (318) 323-0502.
ULM Giving Tuesday sponsored by the University of Louisiana at Monroe
Individuals can stop by the ULM Student Union Building on December 1 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. to write a holiday card to a Northeast Louisiana War Veterans Home resident. For more information, contact Roxanne Smith at (318) 342-3606.
Luv-A-Pet 2015 Holiday Toys sponsored by PetSmart
Individuals can purchase a Chance or Lucky toy at PetSmart in Monroe, LA, from October 1-January 31 and 10% of the sale benefits PetSmart charities in the United States or PetSmart charities of Canada. The purchased Chance or Lucky toy is donated to Families Helping Families of Northeast Louisiana. For more information, contact the Monroe, LA, PetSmart at (318) 325-7125.
Request for Canned Goods sponsored by Monroe Area Guidance Center
The Monroe Area Guidance Center is in need of canned goods, especially canned vegetables. Donations can be delivered to the Monroe Area Guidance Center at 1900 Garrett Road (off Hadley) in the building next to the gymnasium from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For more information, call (318) 343-9200.
Santa's Workshop sponsored by the Wellspring
Individuals can donate toy and gift items for children, teenagers and adults for Santa's Workshop. Santa's Workshop is an event that provides Christmas gifts for children and families in Wellspring programs. Drop off your donations to the Wellspring located at 1515 Jackson St. in Monoroe, LA, no later than December 7 at noon. For more information and gift ideas, contact Pearline at (318) 651-9314 or visit the Wellspring's website.
Donations for Homeless and Newly Housed Persons sponsored by the Wellspring
The Wellspring is in need of: survival food kits for street homeless; warm clothing to hand out to homeless encountered on streets; and new housing kits for newly housed persons. Items can be dropped off at Wellspring's Hope Chest located at 301 Holly St. in Monroe, LA. For more information and donation ideas, visit the Wellspring's website or call (318) 807-6200.
The Wellspring's Annual Christmas Tree Lighting sponsored by the Wellspring
Individuals can sponsor lights on the Winnsboro Community Christmas tree in honor of someone they know. Light sponsorships are purchased by downloading the 2015 Christmas Tree Lighting Form from the Wellspring's website and mailing the completed form to 303 Prairie St., Winnsboro, LA. 71295. The proceeds benefit Franklin Parish families that are homeless as a result of domestic violence. For more information, contact the Wellspring at (318) 412-0226.
Local Toy Drive sponsored by Ruston Businesses
Individuals can donate toys to a local toy drive until December 11. Toy donations are accepted at the following Ruston, LA, businesses: Amazing Grace Walk-In Clinic; Cheeburger Cheeburger; Clara's Sweets & Healthy Treats; Green Clinic; Log Cabin; Northern Louisiana Medical Center; Ponchatoulas; and the Ruston Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau. For more information, contact Ivana Flowers at iflowers@rustonlincoln.org or call (318) 232-7985.
Thanksgiving Baskets sponsored by Elisha Ministries
Individuals can donate nonperishable items and funds to purchase Thanksgiving baskets for elderly and low income families in Morehouse and other parishes. You can drop off your donations to Elisha Ministries located at 608 South Trenton Street in Ruston, LA. For more information, visit the Elisha Ministries website or call (318) 281-2210 or (318) 251-1233.
Donate New, Unwrapped Toys sponsored by Toys "R" Us and Toys for Tots
Individuals can purchase or drop off toys to donate to Toys for Tots at any Toys "R" Us or Babies "R" Us store across the United States. Toys can also be purchased and donated on the Toys "R" Us website. Monetary donations are accepted in-store or online now through Christmas Eve. Toy donations are given to a local Toys for Tots program, and cash donations are given to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to fund toy purchases for children in need. For more information, contact the Monroe, LA, Toys "R" Us at (318) 322-8590.
Operation Christmas Child sponsored by Samaritan's Purse
Individuals can find a shoebox, decide whether they want to pack a box for a boy or girl and the age category, and then fill with gifts. The National Collection Week is November 16-23, and shoeboxes can be dropped off at the following locations:
West Monroe, LA. - Fair Park Baptist Church
Rayville, LA - First Baptist Church
Bastrop, LA - Cherry Ridge Baptist Church
Ruston, LA - Temple Baptist Church
Columbia, LA - First Baptist Church
Mangham, LA - Mangham Baptist Church
Crossett, AR - First Baptist Church
For more information and drop-off hours, visit the Operation Christmas Child website.
Thank you for considering the area's needs this holiday season. Together, we can make this holiday season a season of service.