“I’m desperate here,” Bill Warren sent out the plea for area residents, organizations and businesses to join with him to help families in Ripley County have a merry Christmas.

“It’s never been this late,” he told the Osgood Journal, talking about donations coming in to help families in need through the Ripley County Angels of Giving program.

The application process closed last Friday with more than 1700 people being represented. “The need is so great,” Shanna Joseph, volunteer coordinator for the effort, told the Osgood Journal. “It’s never been this great before.”

Warren has been involved in the program for a number of years and tries to coordinate with other giving agencies so there is no duplication. This year, they have received massive requests and still do not have the funds to help the families.

“I know times are hard right now,” Warren said. “But, if everyone could just do a little something...it sure would help.” Warren has great faith and knows that God will touch the hearts of people to help them give. “He (God) might be testing my faith this year,” he laughed.

He is making a plea to those who have a little extra to help those who have nothing. “Most of the requests are for clothes, coats, essential items,” he noted. Of course, children still would like for Santa to dig into his bag of toys for them.

Joseph told the Osgood Journal most applications requested hygiene items and household cleaning items.
If you can help in any way, please send donations to Warren at 528 Columbia Avenue, Osgood, 47037 or Joseph at 2910 N. Old Michigan Road, Holton, 47023. Joseph stressed that checks must be made out to Angels of Giving. “Please do not make them out to us individually,” Joseph said. Warren can be contacted at 689-4427. Joseph can be contacted at 812-756-0958.

Monetary donations should be received by December 7 giving Santa’s helpers time to shop. Also, items should be donated no later than December 19. “The earlier the better, so we can coordinate what we have with what we need,” noted Joseph.

While Joseph said “I’m not going to panic until it’s Christmas Eve,” she added that she was greatly concerned with the magnitude of the need this year.

The Angels of Giving is a non-profit organization making gifts possibly tax deductible.