Mechanicsburg Area School District families facing hardship can sign up through Friday, Nov. 13, for Thanksgiving baskets, Christmas trees and holiday gift cards through Operation Wildcat's assistance programs.
Families can request help from one, two or all three programs on a single form, according to the district's announcement.
Project Thanksgiving provides baskets with items for a Thanksgiving meal. Distribution runs from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at Mechanicsburg Middle School.
Project Tannenbaum offers artificial Christmas trees, ornaments and lights. A family may receive one artificial tree through the program.
Families that received an artificial tree in a prior year are not eligible for another, though all families can receive ornaments each year. Families that previously received a coupon for a live tree can receive one again.
Distribution runs from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, in the basement of Mechanicsburg Middle School.
Project Gift Box provides gift cards for children from birth through senior year of high school. Any school-aged child on a family's list must be currently enrolled in the Mechanicsburg Area School District.
Families with children in multiple school buildings need to fill out the form only once.
Distribution runs from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, in the Kindergarten Academy lobby.
After signing up, families will receive an electronic ticket by email for each project. That ticket must be shown at pickup.
Operation Wildcat was started in 2006 by Mechanicsburg Area School District parent-teacher organizations and Parent Advisory Committee members to help local students and families, according to the Lions Club of Mechanicsburg.
The Lions Club supports the effort through volunteer work and donations.
Families interested in assistance can complete the Operation Wildcat holiday assistance application by Nov. 13.
