Giving Tree preparations underway

Sterling Savings Bank will continue to take the reigns of organizing the annual Giving Tree, according to Tanya Rodriguez of the Ritzville branch.

Qualifications for this year’s Giving Tree are as follows:

• Limited to children ages newborn to 18 years of age

• Senior citizens ages 65 or older

• Recipients must live in the household fulltime and live within Ritzville, Lind, Sprague, Washtucna or Benge

Assistance request letters will be sent this week to previous participants, and forms are available at the bank for anyone wanting to participate.

Completed forms should be returned by Monday, Nov. 14, to the bank at 108 East First Avenue to prepare the ornaments, although no one will be turned away.

Ornaments will be available beginning Nov. 21, and tree decorating is planned for that week. Requests are placed on a number-coded ornament and hung on the Christmas tree at Sterling Savings Bank.

Organizers are in need of wrapping supplies and gift bags for the final stages of the community service.