Midwest Central kicks off annual Snow Buddies program

[December 02, 2013]  MANITO — Midwest Central School District 191 is kicking off its annual Snow Buddies program. Until Dec. 13, the staff, faculty, organizations, community members and local businesses are coming together to bring Christmas to many students in the district and their siblings.

Snow Buddies has been going strong for well over 15 years with the help of not only the much-needed donators and supporters, but also the countless volunteers over the years who assist in coordinating the program.

The Snow Buddies program begins with interested parents of students who qualify. The parents provide size information for their student and all children in their household, birth to 18 years old, who are attending school. That information is then passed along to volunteers who either shop for them or make a monetary donation for the shopping to be done by someone else. Also, donations of clothing, toys and numerous gifts are accepted and are then divided among the children. Once the gifts are bought, they can be dropped off at the primary school anytime on or before Dec. 13 so that parents can pick them up.

There are just under 300 signed up for Snow Buddies already and that number is increasing. They range from families of one child to families of six children.

Anyone can contact the program and be given Snow Buddies to shop for. There are also other ways to help, such as making a monetary donation at the Manito Community Bank or donating new socks during the sock drive sponsored by the Midwest Central High School National Honor Society, which will collect socks through the Dec. 6 Raider basketball opener.

If you would like to help in any way or if you know any organizations or groups that would be interested, have them contact the Snow Buddies coordinator, Rashelle Cupi, at 309-241-1414 or [e-mail].

[Text from file received from Midwest Central School District 191]