Tis the season for giving and spreading joy throughout the Othello community

The 40th annual Community Christmas Basket Program aimed at lending a helping hand to Othello’s needy families is underway. Local businessman Ken Johnson of Johnson Glass, whose father and uncle were two of the original organizers of the program, said it’s all about sharing good fortune with others.

“God has been good to us and we want to pay that forward. There are a lot of needy people out there and we want to do something to brighten up their Christmas time.”

The goal this year Ken said is to provide food, clothing items and toys for tots for 350 families in the community. Helping to fund the effort is the annual Fireman’s Breakfast Dec. 3 at the Othello Eagles Lodge.

“It’s an all you can eat omelet feed from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The firemen will do all the cooking and members of two local youth groups will be serving the food. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12, and kids under 5 get in free.”

The proceeds from the event will be used to help fund items for the Christmas Baskets.

“The money will go toward the purchase of hams ($5,000 worth) flour, sugar, and canned food, and will help with the $15,000 worth of cash expenses like toys and clothing items we put in the baskets.”

A local canned food drive is scheduled for Dec. 13.

“Several churches will have members out knocking on doors throughout the community. McFarland Middle School has also helped out with the canned food drive and has held fundraisers as well. In the past few years we’ve been able to fill three pickup’s full of canned goods.”

Women from the Mennonite Church near Basin City, Ken said, have traditionally provided blankets for the annual event as well.

The criterion for the recipients of the Christmas Baskets, he says, has been determined via a referral list. “We get their names from the local churches, schools, and the city of Othello, the police department and from agencies who work with people in the community who know they are in need.”

The donated canned foods items, hams and toys purchased will be shelfed and stored at the Othello Fire Station on Broadway. Volunteer “shoppers” Ken said are needed to walk the isles, select the items off a provided list and them put them into baskets and into cars that will deliver them to their destinations Dec. 16.

Community members who would rather not have people knock on their doors seeking donations for the canned food drive do have other options should they want to contribute to the cause.

“They can bring items or cash donations to our shop (Johnson Glass) through November,” Ken said. “After December 1, they can drop off items at the Othello Fire Department.”

For more information on the Community Christmas Basket Program or to become a volunteer shopper, contact Ken Johnson at (509-488-5088).