Requests for Co-op help expected to grow

COLUMBUS -- Organizers of an annual gift-giving effort are expecting an increase in families asking for help this year.

The Holiday Spirit Co-op is accepting requests for gifts from those in need. Those requests will be met by the public that buys the gifts for the families and individuals. Gifts will be distributed to families Dec. 12.

Co-chairwoman Jolene Young said they are in the process of collecting request forms. So far, 104 families have submitted a form. That is a high number this early in the effort, Young said.

This is the 14th year of Holiday Spirit Co-op. Last year 449 families received assistance through it. Among those families were 976 children. It is the youths that Young said they want to help the most.

“As a child, they don’t need to know that Santa is broke,” Young said.

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