Neighbors organize Holiday Drive to help needy families
Despite declining attendance, neighbors along 16th Street SE in Owatonna aren’t about to become Scrooges and throw in the towel on the holidays.
This year they are organizing a Holiday Drive to benefit families who are in need of critical personal care supplies. They will be collecting donations on Monday, Dec. 9 from 6-7 p.m. at 620 or 609 16th St. SE.
Items needed the most include water bottles, adult joggers, hygiene supplies, gift cards, waterproof kids’ gloves, headphones, underwear (6T, 7T and 8T), snacks, girls underwear (14/16), girls socks, snow boots for kids, gloves and hats for 11 to 14 year olds and socks in small sizes.
Organizer Beth Fink said anyone who donates will be offered a sweet treat compliments of Hy-Vee Foods.
The neighbors started a drive thru along their street with holiday decorations and treats during COVID-19 in 2020. “Everyone was cooped up and needed something to do,” Fink recalled.
In the years since the pandemic, the attendance has dwindled and now the neighborhood has been faced with the dilemma of keeping the holiday tradition alive. “I reached out to our neighbors in October and the consensus was we want to do something, just not on scale with what we’ve done before,” said Fink.
This year they decided to help families in need. Fink contacted social workers at all the schools in Owatonna to see what items are needed the most for struggling families.
Fink said if people don’t want to donate supplies, they can also make cash donations.
“It’s a good way to give back,” she said. She added she has two boys in the school system, and they still want to do something for families and peers at their schools.
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16th Street SE Holiday Drive
• Donate items from 6-7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9
• Drop off at 620 or 609 16th St. SE, Owatonna
• Items needed:
- Water bottles
- Adult joggers
- Hygiene supplies
- Gift cards
- Waterproof kids’ gloves
- Headphones
- Underwear (6T, 7T and 8T)
- Snacks
- Girls’ underwear (14/16)
- Girls’ socks
- Snow boots for kids
- Gloves and hats for 11- to 14-year-olds
- Socks in small sizes