Prairie City Ranger District staff collected 151 items for the Prairie City Food Bank and bought Christmas presents for nine children through the Tree of Giving cause in 2016.

The Tree of Giving is back for the season with locations at Chester’s Thriftway and the Outpost Pizza, Pub & Grill in John Day.

Tags for Grant County children are on display with a list of items each child would like for Christmas with clothing sizes and any special requests.

The program in John Day covers children in Grant County, but Prairie City has their own Tree of Giving program (see below).

For the trees in John Day, those who would like to participate can take a tag, then return it with unwrapped gifts under the tree by Monday, Dec. 16.

“You do not have to be receiving public assistance to participate in the Tree of Giving,” said organizer Debi Hueckman.

Children participating must live in Grant County, and families can pick up presents on Friday, Dec. 20, at the OSU Extension Office classroom, 116 NW Bridge St., Suite 1B, John Day.

The event is a partnership between DHS, Oregon State University Extension 4-H and Families First Parent Resource Center.

The Chester’s Elves of Chester’s Thriftway also donate to the cause, and Les Schwab Tire Center holds a Christmas toy drive to contribute.

A group of 4-H volunteers make the tags and put them on the trees. The 4-H members hold fundraisers and contribute gifts for the teen tags.

OSU Extension office coordinator Carol Waggoner said the program is a “huge partnership.”

“It’s our countywide community service project for the Grant County 4-H program,” she said. “I thought there were programs in other counties like this, but it is unique to our county.”

The Grant County 4-H Program is overseen by Christal Culley.

If a contributor would like to donate to children from the same family, they can contact the OSU Extension office.

Those signing up for the Tree of Giving, are asked to sign up for only one location.

For more information, call DHS at 541-575-0309 or OSU Extension at 541-575-1911.

Prairie City Tree of Giving

The Prairie City Volunteer Fire Department also holds a Tree of Giving program for their residents with tags on the wall at Prairie City City Hall, 133 S. Bridge St.

Prairie City 4-H members also help with this cause with a fundraiser bake sale to buy the teen gifts.

City Recorder Bobbie Brown said they disperse the gifts near Christmastime. The giving includes a food basket for an entire Christmas dinner for seniors and low-income families, and if they have children, the gifts from the Tree of Giving are also included.

For more information call Prairie City City Hall at 541-820-3605.