Season of Hope underway for this year

The kick off event for the annual Season of Hope is the United Way of St. Francois County’s Girls Night Out slated for Oct. 18 at Twin Oaks Winery from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Everyone attending the Girls Night Out is asked to bring $20 for United Way and an unwrapped toy or gift card of a like amount to be used in the 2012 Season of Hope effort.

Season of Hope began in St. Francois County in 1999, and is one of the many programs in the county that receives financial assistance from United Way of St. Francois County. The St. Francois County Community Partnership is pleased to be a United Way sponsored organization and to work with the local UW chapter on projects throughout the year.

Last year 1,408 St. Francois County children from 485 families were helped with items of clothing and toys during Season of Hope in December. The goal is to provide each child with at least $75 worth of clothing and toys.

Funds and items are collected in three ways. First, many desire to sponsor a child or family and shop from a wish list provided by the partnership.

Secondly, many civic clubs, Sunday school classes, lodges and churches conduct toy drives and new clothing drives with the proceeds given to the partnership to fill the lists. Third, many people, businesses and organizations make cash donations to help meet the need. SFCCP staff and volunteers shop for the children with the money collected during the collection drive.

For more information about Season of Hope contact the St. Francois County Community Partnership at (573) 431-3173.