Help Family Relief Nursery, help local families

Residents can help Creswell’s Family Relief Nursery help families put gifts under the tree for Christmas. A Christmas Gift and Clothing Drive will be held now through Dec. 18 for children 10 to 18 years old.
This drive is being coordinated by Alaina Thomson, staff member at Therapeutic Associates Creswell Physical Therapy, and started these efforts as a way to fill an age gap insufficiency.
“Through my internship with Relief Nursery a year ago, I learned that in Relief Nursery’s efforts to gather donations for children — babies, through 18 years of age — there is a deficit in donations for kids 10 to 18 years old,” Thomson said.
Before Christmas, Family Relief Nursery has an event for their families, which allows the parents to go “shopping” and pick clothes and gifts for their children, Thomson said.
“Many of the families at Relief Nursery would not be able to give their children and typical Christmas experience without this opportunity,” she said.
They are seeking gifts and warm clothing donations for children ranging between 10 and 18 years old – sizes small through extra large. Other items include books, art supplies, journals and pens, Legos, sports equipment, purses and hats, board games, makeup and nail polish, craft kits and gift cards to Walmart, Fred Meyer and Target.
Most of the donations for this event come from the giving tree ornament, she said.
People can take off of the tree at Valley River Center and other businesses in Eugene.
“The community of Lane County is incredibly generous but most of those donations are for little kids,” Thomson said. “So, we are here to help provide for all age groups.”
This is Thomson’s second year assisting in the drive.
“Last year we held one at our Springfield clinic and there was more participation than expected,” she said, and hopes to say the same after this year’s drive.
A drop-off box is currently being housed at the Therapeutic Associates Creswell Physical Therapy clinic at 170 Melton Road. Donations will be dropped off at the Nursery on Dec. 18.
“This will support an amazing cause, and can be an empowering experience for families that donate and those who benefit from those donations,” Thomson said.