Drop Boxes in Place for Christmas Store; Other Pertinent Information

Organizers of the FISH/Catholic Charities Christmas Store have announced that drop boxes are in place and ready to receive donations in Effingham, Altamont, Teutopolis and Dieterich.

Effingham locations are: Branches, W.S. Broom and Company, Crossroads Bank's Banker Street location, Curves, Dieterich Bank, Dollar General by K-Mart and on South Banker, Effingham Dental Group, Ron Diehl Center at Hendelmeyer Park, Family Video, Fifth Third Bank, Heartland Dental, Joe Sipper's Cafe, K-Mart, Lake Land Kluthe Center, Martin's IGA, New Health Chiropractic, Niemerg's Steak House, One Main Financial, Rural King, Save-a-Lot, Senior Center, Verizon on Keller Drive, Village Square Mall office, Walgreens, Walmart, Workman Sports and Wellness Complex, and Wright at Home Interiors.

In Altamont: Altamont HOME Store, and Peoples Bank and Trust

In Teutopolis: Dieterich Bank and Swagger Salon and Spa

In Dieterich: Dieterich Bank and Wright's Furniture

The drop boxes are available to accept donations of new toys, new coats and non-perishable food.

For more information about FISH, phone 342-2200 or write to PO Box 473, Effingham. For more information about Catholic Charities, phone 857-1458 or visit www.cc.dio.org. 

Here's the schedule for Christmas Store activities:

November 1-30: collections and donations of goods and food--new and/or gently used toys, games, puzzles and books; new and or/gently used coats, hats and mittens for children and adults; diapers; personal hygiene items; non-perishable food items, especially items such as soups, canned meat/tuna, peanut butter, boxes and mac and cheese, cereals and rice

November 1-30: drop off coats for cleaning to sponsors of Share the Warmth--Wiedman Cleaners at 108 E. Washington and Guffey's Quality Cleaners on West Fayette in Effingham

Wednesday, December 7: X-and-KJ-A-Thon--our stations will be hosting our annual all-day event allowing individuals to drop both material and monetary donations off at the station

Thursday, December 8: Christmas Store move-in; help needed--10am-1pm at the FISH Service Center at 708 S. Linden Street; volunteers, especially those with pickup trucks or trailers are needed to help load and transport stored items from the Center to the old Agracel building at 2201 Willenborg Street

Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10: 9am-6pm, Christmas Store set-up--volunteers will be needed at the Christmas Store in the Agracel Building at 2201 Willenborg Street to help set up the store for shoppers

Sunday, December 11 through Wednesday, December 14: Store help--one-on-one personal shoppers and table attendants are needed Sunday from 1-5pm, Monday and Tuesday from 9am to 5pm, and Wednesday from 9am to 2pm; lunch will be donated by area businesses for community volunteers; volunteers are encouraged to sign up at www.eventbrite.com (search Effingham County Christmas Store)