Spirit of Christmas gives a little cheer to less fortunate

By Ginna Young

Although there are avenues to help those who run into hard times, it can still be difficult to provide a Christmas celebration for families. That’s where the Spirit of Christmas comes in, to give back to those in need in Chippewa County.

Each year, the organization collects gifts and/or warm accessories, to distribute to hundreds of children and adults.

The way it works, is a business signs up to host a gift tree, with tags of wish list items that patrons take home to fill. The patron shops for the items on the tags, then returns them to the business with the gift tree.

While there are locations with gift trees in Cadott, Cornell and Holcombe, the gifts purchased for those locations, do not necessarily go to families in those towns.

“All the gifts that are collected…it’s for all the kids in Chippewa County,” said Glen Zwiefelhofer, president/packing chairman of Spirit of Christmas.

Zwiefelhofer says he really hopes more businesses will sign up to host gift trees next year, in Cadott and Holcombe, since locations have dwindled over the years. He also said they have 2,500 tags that need to be filled before distribution in December.

Those who wish to host a tree, can contact Jan Melberg, at 715-579-2842.

There are also sponsorship opportunities, where a business, organization or individual can sponsor a family, by providing gifts, non-perishable food items or monetary help. To sign up for sponsoring a family, contact Lisa Stoffel, at 715-933-1990.

Through November, gift trees can be found during business hours in Cadott, at the Cadott Community Library; in Cornell, at the Ice Hole, Sam’s Place & Diner, Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative, Cornell Chiropractic, Cornell Health Services, Lisa’s Beauty Salon, and the Wisconsin Veteran Farm & Winery; and in Holcombe, at Magic Salons.

There’s also a mitten tree at the Courier Sentinel in Cornell, to drop off new gloves, hats, mittens and scarves (store bought or handmade).

Donations will be accepted until Nov. 30, when volunteer Kathy Swanson picks up the gifts. To apply for gift assistance, visit thespiritofchristmasofchippewacounty.com, or visit Room 305 at the Chippewa County Courthouse.

“There is a greater need than ever this year, due to higher prices on everything,” said Swanson.