The applications for the annual Mancos Giving Tree are now available; look for them at Mancos schools and churches, the Mancos Valley Visitor Center and the Mancos Valley Bank. The chamber of commerce web site (www.mancosvalley.com) also has a copy of the form.
Residents of Mancos Valley and students in the schools are welcome to apply. Please provide as much information as possible to give shoppers the best clues for buying the best gifts. Applications are due the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 23rd, so dont delay.
(There are no age or income tests for the annual Mancos Giving Tree.)
Return the applications to the school office or nurse, to the Visitor Center, Mancos Valley Bank, or mail to P. O. Box 535. The form must be received before Dec. 3rd.
The giving trees and ornaments will be put up the week following Thanksgiving, so the applications are needed as soon as possible. The trees will be at the Mancos Library, the Columbine Bar and Mancos Valley Bank, the P&D Market and, new this year, at Zuma. Once the trees and ornaments are up, the Christmas shopping begins!
The Giving Tree elves ask that everyone consider shopping locally, if possible. Think retail and service and more. Favorite massage therapists, beauticians, veterinarians and more can become involved if/when their customers point the way.
Mancos Valley Resources, a local 501c3 non-profit, is acting as a pass-through agency for the Mancos Giving Tree. Donors who want a charitable deduction for tax purposes can pass those gifts through MVR. Please mail checks to Box 204, Mancos 81328 or call 533-7434. (Patricia Burk and Betsy Harrison are the contacts for Mancos Valley Resources.)
The Giving Tree is a multi-year, anonymous, volunteer project that collects and distributes Christmas gifts to about 150 Mancos area residents each year.
The Giving Tree will be headquartered at the RE/MAX Mesa Verde Realty office on the North Frontage Road.
Please consider the Giving Tree for holiday and year end donations. Lori Elworthy (799-0159), Denise Rentz (739-6336) and Jeanne Freed 882-1260) are organizing the Giving Tree project for 2012.