The need to spread holiday cheer to the less fortunate is greater than ever. In response, Newtown Junior Women’s Club (NJWC) has launched its annual Tag-A-Gift Program.

NJWC coordinates the collection and wrapping of holiday gifts for Newtown children in need. This program is in support of The Newtown Fund’s annual gift and food drive for local families in need. The Newtown Fund’s event culminates with Depot Day, when all items are delivered to families in Newtown who need a hand putting food on the table and gifts under the tree.

Giving Trees and Wreaths with wishes on tags have been set up in several town locations. Residents are encouraged to take a tag, purchase the wished for item, and return the unwrapped gift with tag information attached to the collection bin at the same location they got the tag.

Tags can be picked up at Union Savings Bank, 1 Commerce Road; Newtown Savings Bank’s main branch, at 39 Main Street; Wesley Learning Center, 39 Church Hill Road; Savings Bank of Danbury, 20 Church Hill Road; and Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street.

Time is of the essence. The unwrapped gifts must be returned to the decorated collection box at the same location no later than Monday, December 9. Please note, those who pick up gift tags from Edmond Town Hall will be asked to drop their gifts off at the nearby Newtown Savings Bank branch. 

Newtown Girl Scout Troop 50293 and their troop leaders, Heather Smith, Jenn Burns, and Nicole Friedrich, have made tag ornaments for this year’s trees and wreaths. The ornaments are meant to be picked up with the tags, and kept “as a small thank you,” said NJWC member Meri Jitsukawa.

The public is also welcome to join NJWC volunteers for a gift wrapping session at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main Street, on Thursday, December 12, at 7 pm. All gifts will be delivered to The Newtown Fund on Saturday, December 14.

For additional information contact Ms Jitsukawa at 203-270-3767 or visit www.newtownjuniorwomen.com.