NOTEBOOK: No more chutes and ladders, please

November 20, 2006 07:22 pm

— They have plenty of Barbie dolls and toys for little kids. They don’t want to seem ungrateful, but if you are holiday shopping and looking to spread cheer, perhaps you could consider the older kids whose families participate in the annual toy and food drive of the Grand Island Neighbors Foundation.
“Instead of games like ‘Chutes and Ladders,’ we could use more things for the pre-teens and teens, like toiletries and jewelry,” said Henry Kammerer, president of the foundation. Other items on the wish list are school supplies, sporting goods, socks and sweatshirts.
Drop-off is at any of the Island schools or visit the Recreation Department at the Nike Base on Whitehaven Road near West River, or call 773-9680.
Troubled? Find GIFTS for yourself
The holidays bring their own special kind of stress, but if your life is already full of more stress than you can handle, consider giving yourself the GIFTS of a friendly ear and some counsel.
GIFTS stands for Grand Island Families Town and Schools and is a support service funded by the town.
It doesn’t matter what kind of difficulties you are dealing with, GIFTS provides a referral service to the agency or service provider that can make your life easier, said Maria Angelova, from the GIFTS office.
To gift yourself this holiday season, call the town hall at 773-9600 and ask for the GIFTS program.