Salvation Army collecting gifts

MOSES LAKE - A small Christmas tree sits in the entryway of the Moses Lake Civic Center.

Tags with suggested gifts for boys and girls are hung on it and nearby is a box for donations to needy families. The Salvation Army Giving Tree is one of more than 30 throughout Grant County at businesses and other organizations.

Each tag gives a list of suggested items for people to purchase for a boy or girl, and people can leave the donations in the nearby boxes, Ken Palek, the Salvation Army's Grant County director, said.

The city has reacted well to the program, with businesses still contacting him to have a tree set up, Palek said.

"When's the last time you've heard of a town of 20,000 having more than 30 giving trees," he said. "We have one in a beauty parlor. We have one in Grocery Outlet. We have one in Perfection Tire, the Nazarene Church. Tacos El Rey, Harvest Foods."

Along with leaving it in a donation box, the organization is accepting donations at its office, Palek said.

"We made it as convenient as possible. We made it so you can buy it (at the store), and donate it there. If you want you can buy it somewhere else and bring it out," he said. "We would welcome all organizations or businesses to participate in the giving spirit."

The organization finishes collecting items on Dec. 19, and plans to distribute them starting on Dec. 22. Palek expects to serve about 650 families. The organization is also collecting toys for distribution in Quincy, Mattawa and Royal City.

"The tables are refreshed every several hours to ensure a good selection," he said.

For more information, contact Palek at 509-766-5877.