Rotary Club of Edina members are encouraged to bring unwrapped gifts, gift cards or cash or check donations to the Dec. 8 meeting! Rotarian Jean Morrison is once again spearheading the effort to spread holiday cheer in our community by donating gifts to families in need this holiday season. This year the Rotary Holiday Giving Program will donate gifts to Cornerstone's Holiday Shop and VEAP's Holiday Toy Drive. Donations can also be brought to the Rotary Holiday Party Dec. 15. 
 
Contact Jean for ideas for gifts or more information about the program.
 
The Rotary Club of Edina once again will be collecting holiday gifts for families in need in our community. Rotarian Jean Morrison is spearheading the Holiday Giving Program, and asks that members bring UNWRAPPED gifts for children of any age (infant all the way through teens) as well as gifts for moms, dads, and families, to the Edina Country Club in December. The gifts can still be dropped off at this week's Dec. 8 meeting, or at the Holiday Party on Thursday, Dec. 15. Gift cards, cash or check donations are also welcome at the Dec. 8 meetings. Jean will take the funds donated and buy gift cards or other gifts to be donated as well. This year, the organizations benefiting from the Edina Rotary Holiday Giving Program will be:
 
Cornerstone—every year for the holidays, Cornerstone hosts the Holiday Shop for the families they serve. The Holiday Shop gives children from abusive homes the opportunity to shop for gifts for their parents and siblings. Cornerstone is a nonprofit agency that serves adults and children who  have been impacted by domestic violence, sexual violence and/or human trafficking. Cornerstone believes that together, we can ease the stress of the season and make the holidays brighter for families who are rebuilding their lives.
 
VEAP—the annual Holiday Toy Drive collects gifts for children for the holidays. The holidays can be a challenging time for low-income families. Often, parents must choose between purchasing holiday gifts or maintaining the basic necessities of every day life. The goal of VEAP's Toy Drive is to provide one toy (a $10–$20 value), one book and two winter-wear items per child and one game per household for low-income families in Bloomington, Richfield, Edina and south Minneapolis. VEAP is a non-profit, social service agency that assists low-income families in these communities.

If you have questions about the program, or need gift ideas for children or families, contact Jean Morrison at jean@jeanmorrisonhr.com. 
 
Thank you for sharing your holiday spirit with those in need!