The Good Samaritan-American Red Cross holiday project is suffering its greatest need for donations since the 1980s. Nancy Chance, director of the effort, said today she doesn't usually issue a last-minute call for donations, but the holiday project has had few donations delivered to the Red Cross chapterhouse this year. The Good Samaritan program identified at least 5,000 households in need this holiday season nearly double the number in 1999. Area businesses, classrooms and others sponsored more than 300 families in need through the holiday project. Chance said other donations usually go to families without sponsors, but it's those donations that are lacking.
Items needed include meat and gifts.
For the first time, the holiday project is also accepting gift certificates from Wal-Mart. We're scrambling to put some things together. The Red Cross, 97. S. Fifth St., will be open until 9 p.m. tonight and Friday to accept donation. Compiled from staff reports.