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It's getting close to the time when the Santa Anonymous workshop has to be open and filled with holiday gifts for the children who have little this Christmas Season. This group of Chisago City area Scouts pitched in and helped Santa Anonymous collections grow, while doing a community service project at North Branch Cinema.

Other groups or organizations are welcome to help too. LeeAnn Vande Kamp, Santa Anonymous volunteer, said the Holiday Store opens Dec. 17 and 18 at the United Methodist Church in North Branch and the collection window of opportunity is getting smaller each day. Santa Anonymous accepts new, non-violent toys, mittens and hats, Christian books and videos, sports balls, stocking stuffers and board games, which the group then displays and families can select gifts at the church during the "store" hours. Vande Kamp said applications submitted to participate in the program are up this year over last. "Everything collected is given to families in our communities," she said. "By donating to this program you can make a joyful difference to children in your community."

Watch for collection canisters in shops and grocery stores, etc. Drop-off bins for gift items are at various sites, and at the Chisago County Government Center. Donations can be mailed to "Santa Anonymous" P.O. Box 901, North Branch, MN 55056.

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