News : She's making her list, checking it twice making sure everyone is covered

The Benton County Angel Tree has been a staple in the community around Christmas time, and this year is no different.  Lanette Parker, who heads up the effort, plans to help more than 300 families this year. Through the generousity of area churches and those in the community, these families will have a Merrier Christmas this year.  Lanette runs the operation out of a donated location ever year. This year Rick Zimpher offered the use of his building to Angel Tree. As Lanette showed me around, she showed me every nook and cranny stuffed with presents for area children.  She has a system effeciently run from her notebook. Each child who needs an outfit through the Angel TRee program, is assigned a number and letter (so that no one knows who they are buying for). Each church and bank location has a set of tags that coordinate with the children on Lanette's nice list. The idea is to make sure that each child receives at least one outfit, a large and small toy and some miscellaneous items that are also available for parents to choose from. Lanette has already been busy helping families in need this season. She will have three helpers throughout the next couple of days to find the assigned gifts for the children and to assist parents as the come in to choose items for their family. Lanette wanted to thank Blessed Hope for the use of their tables to display the toys and organize the gifts this year. Special thanks to you Lanette for taking on this task! Click to view pics of all the gifts provided this year.