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Gifts Sought For Children Of Migrants in Mulberry
By Gary White
MULBERRY | A campaign to collect gifts for the children of migrant
workers in Mulberry is seeking a post-Christmas push.
As of Christmas Eve, organizers still needed donations of about 250
gifts, said Sandi Thivierge, who heads the campaign associated with St.
John Neumann Catholic Church in
Thivierge said the church began collecting and distributing gifts in
2006. She said the campaign arose from a quest by her daughter, Alaina
Thivierge, and other members of her confirmation class to join young
migrant workers in the field.
Sandi Thivierge said health concerns ruled that out, so instead the
youngsters began collecting Christmas gifts for migrant children.
Thivierge said the church puts out an 'angel tree' each year to display
lists of gift requests from children.
Most of the requests are for toys, clothes and electronic items.
Thivierge said items may be donated through New Year's Day.
Gifts will be given out Jan. 3 at a Three Kings Day party held at the
Evelyn and
She said the campaign is particularly short of teen gifts, such as
soccer balls, perfume and MP3 music players.
Thivierge attributed the shortage of donations to the bad economy and
the loss of a corporate donor.
She said her own health issues prevented her from doing as much
publicity as in the past.
Beyond the Christmas toy drive, Thivierge said migrant worker families
are in need of practical donations, such as furniture, mattresses and
used appliances.
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