The Quincy Herald-Whig's Good News of Christmas campaign kicks off today to make the holidays brighter for 47 area families.
"There's a lot of people who understand the benefit of helping out a family who really has nothing or maybe is down on their luck, maybe had a bad year, lost a job," said Dustin Hall, the campaign's volunteer coordinator. "It's amazing to see all these different people who volunteer their time to help these families out even though they're busy with their own families."
The 24th annual campaign offers several ways for area residents to help:
• Drop boxes for donated gifts are available at several locations including The Quincy Herald-Whig, Kmart, ShopKo, Wal-Mart, the Quincy Mall customer service desk near Krieger's, outside of Bergner's, outside of Penney's, Sam's Club and Farm & Home Supply.
• The Good News Volunteer Center opens Monday, Nov. 26, in the Quincy Mall Community Room. Center hours will be 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
• Monetary contributions to the campaign may be dropped off at the volunteer center or mailed to The Quincy Herald-Whig, in care of Good News of Christmas, 130 S. Fifth, Quincy, IL 62301. Donations may be directed to a specific Good News family; note the case number on the check.
• The United Way of Adams County coordinates the adoption process for Good News cases. More information about adopting a case is available by calling Emily Robbearts at 224-1223.
• The Good News program is not equipped to accept used appliances or furniture for cases, but fulfilling "big ticket" service needs, such as dental care or car repair, is available by calling Robbearts.
For more information about how to help the campaign, call Dustin Hall or Nathan Daly at 506-1783.
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