Caring trees are now in area stores

The annual Sauk Prairie Caring Tree program has begun this year with area  businesses, libraries and churches displaying trees with tags attached to them.

The tags indicate an item that is needed for children, handicapped residents and senior citizens living in the Sauk Prairie area.

According to a press release submitted by the Caring Tree committee, residents may select a tag, purchase the item and return the gift unwrapped with the tag attached to the same location. Piggly Wiggly and Sentry have grocery bags of food that can be purchased and donated.

Those residents who would like to donate cash may send a check payable to: Sauk Prairie Caring Tree, St. Vincent dePaul, 815 19th St., Prairie du Sac, WI 53578. The committee has set a goal to raise $15,000 this year. So far it has raised $4,335 through donations.

All proceeds from this event stays in the Sauk Prairie School District.

According to the press release, last year over 600 adults, seniors and children benefited from the program. Each family receives warm clothing, toys and a food basket which includes supplies for a holiday meal. Meals and movie tickets are also purchased from local restaurants and given to each family.

Residents wanting to purchase a tag can visit the caring trees in the following locations: Ace Hardware, Bank of Prairie du Sac, Blue Spoon, Concordia Church, Culver's, M&I Bank, McDonald's, McFarlanes', Milwaukee Valve, Prairie Clinic, Prairie du Sac and Sauk City libraries, Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital, Schwarz Insurance, Sauk Prairie Evangelical Church, New Life Outreach Church, River Hills Church, United Health, Village Family Dental, Wyttenbachs, The Pines, Community Business Bank, Salon's For You, Leystras, Eagle Inn, Prairie Cenex and Curves.

For more information, call 643-8905 ext. 10 or 12.

-  Eagle staff