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With Thanksgiving already upon us, several groups and organizations have already begun plans for the Christmas holiday season.
Steak, ham give-aways
Diagonal’s annual Ham Drawing will get underway November 30.
The Steak Giveaway in Mount Ayr is currently underway with winners to be drawn December 7.
Patrons may sign up in a number of businesses in Mount Ayr and Diagonal.
Adopt-a-Child
Approximately 70 families in Ringgold County will have trouble providing Christmas gifts for their children this Christmas.
The MATURA Neighborhood Outreach Center will again be offering the Christmas Adopt-A-Child Program to low-income families to help every child in Ringgold County have a good Christmas.
Approximately 150 children will need sponsored.
Low-income families can sign up their children to be sponsored at the Center now through November 25. Gifts will be distributed to the families on Friday December 18 at the Center.
Individuals, groups, and families wishing to be a secret Santa and Adopt-A-Child can come to the Center November. 23 through December 8 to get their child(ren) age, gender, needs and sizes.
Children are sponsored by a family ID number to insure confidentiality.
Gifts can be dropped off at the Center December 8-17.
This year, the child’s information can also be emailed to sponsors and gifts can be ordered on-line and mailed directly to the Center. Just email the Center giving the family’s ID number and what gifts were ordered.
Also, this year, there is also an option to give a gift of money and the Neighborhood Center staff will buy the gifts for the sponsored child(ren).
For more information call the Center at 641-464-2401, drop by or email Director Joana Putvain at ringgoldoutreach@maturaia.org.
The Matura Outreach Neighborhood Center and Thrift Store is located at 306 S. Garfield in Mount Ayr. Current hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Masks are required.
Christmas parade
Some major changes are in store for the annual Lighted Christmas Parade sponsored by the Mount Ayr Chamber of Commerce.
The event will be still be held Saturday, December 5, but this year’s parade will not circle the square. Instead, parade entries will line up along the interior of the square while spectators drive around the square to view the “parade.”
No walking will be allowed, and candy will not be distributed.
The Best of Show Traveling Trophy will be awarded to the Business/Organization with the best entry. Individuals, families, and friends will compete for $50 in Mount Ayr Money.
Due to ever-changing guidelines concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, plans for lighting of the Community Christmas Tree and an appearance of Santa Claus are yet to be finalized.
Letters to Santa
Letters to Santa Claus may be dropped off at the United Farmers Cooperative in Mount Ayr.
One letter will be drawn to win a Radio Flyer sled.
United Farmers has announced extended shopping hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 28.
Ladies in the Ayr
Holiday open houses are planned from 4-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 3 as part of the Ladies in the Ayr promotion.
Participating businesses include Aunt Jennie’s Attic, Country Blossoms, Backwoods Barbie Boutique, and Uniquely Radiant.
