(Farmington, MO) The Annual Seasons of Hope program, to help underprivileged children throughout the Parkland during the Christmas season, will be held this year but it's taking a different approach because of the coronavirus. The St. Francois County Community Partnership presents the event and the Executive Director of the group, Bill Bunch, says they aren't taking toys as donations this year. Bunch adds instead they'll accept monetary donations so they can purchase gift cards for the kids. Bunch explains they had reservations about using gift cards since the cards could be abused and not used as intended. According to Bunch that's when they discovered special ATF gift cards that cannot be used for alcohol, tobacco, or firearms but they can be used for items for the children.
All children who receive assistance from the program this year will get a $75 gift certificate. If you would like to contribute to the Seasons of Hope program you can call the St. Francois County Community Partnership by calling the group's office at 573-431-3173 or send a message through the group's Facebook page for more information.