By Staff
Melissa Cason, Franklin County Times
The Russellville High School chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America gave a monetary donation along with toys to the Faith Mission Outreach during the club's annual Christmas party Wednesday morning.
FBLA presented FMO Director Matthew Mangino and his wife, Cheryl, with $157 collected by the students as well as toys donated to the cause.
"FBLA is awesome because they donate to us every year," Mangino said.
The money collected will go to purchase toys for the Mission's annual Christmas Banquet, which will be held next week. The Mission currently has several Dove Trees out so that community members can help provide gifts for children in need this Christmas.
"The trees are at the Mission, and area businesses," Mangino said.
"We have 500 people signed up for our banquet, but we could have signed up a 1,000. We are having to turn people away due to lack of space."
Mangino said that approximately 350 of those 500 will be children. In order to provide a gift that number of children, the Mission must have help from the community.
"We would like to have all of the gifts in by Dec. 14, but sometimes it's not possible," Mangino said. "We'll take gifts up until the banquet so if you think it's too late to buy a gift, you still can."
He added that the banquet is being sponsored privately, and that it will be catered again this year.
"The same person has provided food for the banquet for the past few years, and we thank them for their help," Mangino said. "Without them, it would be more difficult to provide the meal for this many people."
Gifts for the banquet can be dropped off at the Mission today, Monday, and Tuesday. For more information on how to support the Mission this holiday season, call 331-4483.