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Every year, Taylors Falls Elementary provides a way to give to those in our area who are less fortunate by organizing the annual Giving Tree food and toy drive.

A Christmas tree is set up in the lobby of the school, along with boxes to collect food, toys, school supplies, books and winter clothing such as hats and gloves.

This year’s tree was once again donated by Steve and Betsy Sangren of Lindstrom. The Giving Tree was organized and set up by committee members: Betty Hopkins, Laura Greene, Kathy Stephansen, John Romportl and Mike Moberg.

Every year, the parents and children of Taylors Falls Elementary do a wonderful job of providing for those in need during the Christmas season, and this year was no exception as the boxes quickly filled.

Taylors Falls parent Sheila Thelen helped her children David, a fifth grader, and Dialyn, a fourth grader, organize a food drive at the 2006 Winter Figure Skating Exhibition in Stillwater earlier this month. The family collected 150 pounds of food for the Giving Tree.

The non perishable food items collected were donated to Family Pathways and will be distributed to local families in need. The winter clothing, toys, school supplies and books were donated to the Anonymous Santa program, which has been providing “Christmas with dignity” to Chisago County residents for more than 25 years.

In addition, $62 was raised for the CO2 Detector Project sponsored by the Anonymous Santa and $50 was raised for Family Pathways programs.

The Taylors Falls Elementary staff would like to thank the parents and their children for their generous donations again this year. Because of their generosity, more people will have a joyous holiday season.

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