November 21, 2007

The Deposit Rotary Club was fortunate enough to have Lynn Hartz of the Deposit Foundation and Rural Housing Services, Inc. join us for lunch on November 14. After our meal, Lynn filled our club in on two very important topics associated with the Deposit Foundation: the new Deposit Community Center project and the Toys for Tots program.

Lynn informed us that the Community Center is currently having a professional feasibility study completed, which should give valuable information on how well our community could support and benefit from such a facility. Right now, the vision includes a meeting and banquet space which could accommodate more than 150 people and a commercial kitchen for catering events, preparing food for the Meals on Wheels program, and also the senior citizens program meals. There would also be space for smaller events and other organizations and a community room to house recreational activities and computers for people to use.

Filling us in on the Toys for Tots program, Lynn pointed out to us various ways that the community as a whole could help to make Christmas special for children of less-privileged families. Because the program prides itself on making the holiday as memorable as possible for these kids, they ask for specific wish requests from the families who register for the program to better ensure that each child will get exactly what he or she was hoping for. Because of this, cash donations are always appreciated and enable the Toys for Tots volunteers to purchase much-needed toys from major retailers, who provide discounts. However, donations of new or near-new toys are also appreciated. Specifically, there is much demand for new board games, toys for infants and toddlers, and drawing and artistic supplies. If you're looking for a way to really spread the holiday spirit, donating to Toys for Tots is an ideal gesture. If they receive your donation at the Deposit Foundation at PO Box 41 , Deposit by December 12, the program will make sure your gift gets to a deserving child for Christmas. Thanks to Lynn Hartz for joining us and educating us about these very important community projects.