MARYSVILLE Grinches need not apply.
If you are the type of person who hates it when Christmas music starts playing earlier and earlier each year, just avoid this story altogether.
Because its Christmastime already for the dogooders in town, as they get an early start on preparations for the holidays later this year. One of Santas elves-in-chief passed away this summer and thats big problem for Operation Marysville Community Christmas.
It will be tough to fill the shoes of long-time community leader Lillie Lein, who passed away in July, so Operation Marysville Community Christmas is getting an early start this year. For more than 23 years the group has been making Thanksgiving and Christmas a lot brighter for the less fortunate in town, and OMCC will be holding its first organizing meeting later this month. If you start buying presents in February like the beloved Lein did, you should be there for the Sept. 19 meeting.
The group will be choosing a new chairman to replace the long-time city employee who also served as secretary to the Marysville Food Bank board of directors. OMCC is part of the food bank and concentrates on collecting donations of food and gifts during the holidays. Their familiar red barrels can be seen throughout town starting this October, and the food bank harnesses the efforts of many other local businesses and civic groups. Various service groups will staff a collection site in town during a one-day blitz, said Joann Mulligan.
Were inviting anybody who has an interest, Mulligan said.
Usually the group has about 50 volunteers to help collect food and pick up gifts. They also go on a huge shopping spree using donated funds to purchase gifts at stores in town. Anyone with a pickup truck or van is encouraged to call and help collect the booty for Santa, Mulligan added.
Were really needing some support from the community with this because we dont want to let kids go without gifts, Mulligan explained.
The organizing meeting will be held Sunday, Sept. 19 at 7 a.m. at the Village Restaurant, at 220 Ash Avenue, Marysville. For more information call the Marysville Food Bank at 360-658-1054.