Time has accelerated and the holidays are upon us and with the holidays comes the Share the Spirit Program. This is the point in our story were we hope you are asking, "How can I help?" The following is the 411 on this wonderful community program:

1. Volunteers are needed for the spaghetti feed. Preparation day will be Monday, Dec. 7, and the feed will be held Tuesday, Dec. 8. The feed needs all types of help, most importantly needed are folks to make phone calls now and coordinators' for several aspects of this fabulous fundraising event. If you can help, please leave your name and number at 299-0220 or at Total Office products, 235-8465.

2. The adopt-a-family program is looking for families, groups or individuals willing to provide a complete holiday basket for a needy household. This is a very important part of the overall program. If you would like more information, please contact us at the information line, 235-7466.

3. Many of the local schools will be conducting food drives. This is an excellent way to impress on your students the need to give, if even in a small way. Please check with your student's school to see if they will be participating in this worthy project.

4. Our gift trees will go up after Thanksgiving. You need only visit a tree and follow the instructions found on the beautiful ornaments, provided through the local Girl Scout troops, to provide a gift for a needy child or a household.

5. We need turkeys, hams and chickens. These can be delivered directly to Homer High School on Saturday, Dec. 19.

6. Finally, we need your monetary donations. You can mail them to P. O. Box 3218, Homer or drop them off directly to the Share the Spirit account at Wells Fargo Bank.

Now if you are asking yourself "How does my household receive help?" here's how:

1. To apply, please visit a local human service agency where you are currently receiving help or talk with your pastor, rabbi, elder or priest. They will assist you with requesting a holiday basket through this program. Keep in mind that the applications will not be available until Monday, Nov. 23 and the last day we will be able to accept an application is Monday, Dec. 14. Remember, we cannot accept late applications.

2. If you are an agency or church in our community and need applications to help your client or parishioner, please call the Share the Spirit Information Line at 235-7466.

3. Basket day is set for Monday, Dec. 21. All applicants receiving help through Share the Spirit this year will receive a confirmation notice via the mail, so please make sure your applications contain a valid mailing address, and then remember to bring your confirmation notice with you to claim your basket.

Please remember to Share the Spirit.

Kelly Glidden

Shari Daugherty

Share the Spirit basket co-chairs