Charitable Christmas Organizations in Lebanon, Missouri

To many of the folks in a small midwestern community known as Lebanon, Missouri, the true meaning of Christmas is sharing. Sharing their love for God and Country, the joy and true meaning of Christmas and their love for their community.

We all feel the desire from time to time, to help others less fortunate and those that simply need a helping hand. But never so much as we do during the holiday season. It's instilled our hearts and minds that this is the season for giving. If you live in the town of Lebanon, it's not hard to find organizations who are ready and willing to help you help others.

One such organization is the Share Your Christmas foundation. During the season for giving, you can locate their "mitten" trees in places such as the local Wal-Mart, Dollar General, Central Bank, Mid-Missouri Bank and many of the local merchants stores. A mitten tree is an artificial Christmas Tree set up in the lobby of a local business for those who would like to donate mittens, gloves, and winter scarfs to local children who need them. Share Your Christmas also sets up Trees with first names of boys and girls hanging from the tree. You can pick a name off of the tree and shop for that particular child or children for Christmas. The tags hanging on the trees have their ages, sizes, and Christmas wishes on them. First names only are used so that families aren't embarrassed or feel ashamed for needing help to make their children's Christmas bright.

Another organization in Lebanon is the Crosslines Ministries. Crosslines helps to provide a happy holiday for families in our area who are registered with the local office of the Missouri Division of Family Services. Area residents donate gifts and clothing to Crosslines that are then distributed at the local National Guard Armory. Every family registered with Family Services are invited to come out and go "shopping" in the Armory. Thanks to so many generous people in the community, this event is always a success.

The Cope House is a safe haven for battered and abused women and children. Sponsored by the Counsel to Prevent Family Violence, women and children who are in an abusive situation can seek safe haven at the local COPE House. Unfortunately, the house is almost always full and the Christmas holiday is usually not a very happy one under these kinds of circumstances. Donations to these women and children can be made and made anonymously if you wish, by contacting the director of the house. The address will be given at the end of this report.

Community Baptist Church is an example of one of the many churches in Lebanon and Laclede County, whose hearts and doors are always open to those in need. Pastor Allen Reeves is a lifetime resident and has spent his entire preaching career, leading this church and making it part of the community of givers in this small community. Community Baptist and other churches in the area not only have pantries that the patrons donate too and keep stocked, but also at Christmas time, groceries and Christmas presents are accepted by donation and delivered to many families who have had their names secretly recommended by others either in the church or the neighborhood. They are their for families no matter what the need. Families who have lost their homes to fire, imprisonment and financial disasters. Donations are always accepted but even more so during the holidays.

Let's go Shop With A Cop! This special group of dedicated law enforcement men and women raise money all year long so that a couple of weeks before Christmas, they get the joy of taking less fortunate children, who have been suggested by the local schools, shopping at the local Wal-Mart store. As a parent in the Lebanon School District, I can attest that this is done with the utmost tact and dignity. The school sends a note home with the children that teachers can see have a need. Children who come from the lower income families in the area are then taken to Wal-Mart to spend sometimes in excess of $200. They are told to spend the majority of it on themselves and that they can pick out one thing for a parent if they like. Its very hard for these children to spend on just themselves. They know that Mom needs things and Dad does too. Most of them would spend it all on their parents and almost nothing on themselves if they could. I guess the spirit of giving touches everyone's hearts.

Christmas in a small town is very special. There lacks the hustle and bustle of the shopping frenzies of the bigger cities, more gifts are homemade and no one expects to get, but they sure love to give. Lebanon's Holiday Parade is always held the Saturday before Thanksgiving. It always has a theme and usually a theme centered around giving. This year's theme is "Believe in the Spirit of Christmas". That "spirit" of course, is giving.

If you would like to contact any of the above mentioned groups the addresses are listed below.

Share Your Christmas
PO Box 1731
301 W. Freemont Rd.
Lebanon, MO. 65536
417-588-8890

Crosslines Ministries
141 Lawson Ave.
Lebanon, MO. 65536
417-588-3559

COPE House-Counsel to Prevent Family Violence Shop With A Cop
PO Box 1281
Lebanon, MO. 65536

Lebanon R-IV School District
321 S. Jefferson Ave.
Lebanon, MO. 65536
417-532-9141

Community Baptist Church
W. Hwy 64
Lebanon, MO. 65536
417-532-8421