GOWANDA — The Gowanda Lions Club and Gowanda Police Department are teaming up again to provide a Merry Christmas for children living in the community who might not otherwise have much to celebrate over the holidays.

The program provides toys and gifts to children from infancy to seniors in high school who are residents of the Gowanda School District. Toys obtained by direct donations and purchase will be distributed from Dec. 12 through Dec. 18. Unwrapped new toys will be collected at the Collins Public Library, Goode’s Family Restaurant, Gowanda Harley Davidson, Gowanda Police Department, Johnson’s Ceramics, McCormack’s Hardware and Shop N Save.

In addition, Gowanda Ford will again have their “Fill a Truck with Toys” campaign to benefit the Holiday Helping Hands program. Donations to any of these locations will be accepted by Dec. 12.

Last year, 240 children received Christmas presents through Holiday Helping Hands, and Christmas meal vouchers were provided to 66 families through the “People for People” program that serves individuals, as well as couples, and families.

“This year has been a difficult one for all of us, especially for our less fortunate community members,” the Lions Club said. “We need your help. For over 30 years now the generosity of individuals, businesses and organizations in our community have made these programs such a success.”

Financial donations to support the Holiday Helping Hands toy program and the People for People food program should be made payable to the Gowanda Lions Club, PO Box 1, Gowanda, New York 14070.

Those who know a family that needs a little help to provide a Merry Christmas for their children, or a family Holiday meal, call Lions Club members Peg Luther at 777-1302, Rosemarie Bolen at 517-6467, or Sandy Gaylord at 532-4457 by Dec. 10.