KNOX – Sometimes, during the holiday season, those in need don’t want to ask and those willing to help don’t want recognition or acknowledgement.
But from now through Jan. 2, the Knox Community Tree of Giving is there to help with both situations.
The idea of Knox Borough Police Chief Joab Orr and police officer Jason Bowen, it is the first year of what the men hope will become an annual tradition.
“The Tree of Giving is a simple concept, in which anyone can either donate items, like soap, clothes, food, boots, children clothing, laundry detergent or pick up the items from the tree if they need them,” explained Orr. “There are no questions asked, no one to judge, and the items can be picked up at any time day or night, as well as dropped off.
“The tree will be located out front of the borough building and is open to anyone.”
If it is raining or snowing, Orr suggested the donated item be wrapped in plastic or boxed with a label on the box stating what the item is.
Area residents can also leave the names of families who might need some help during the holiday season.
Bowen said those names will be converted to numbers to preserve anonymity for the needy families. Those willing to help out can pick up a family list at the police station and then returned the needed items to the police department for delivery to the needy family.
“You can take what you need,” said Bowen. “And you can leave what you can.”
Orr added, “First of all, this would not be happening without the generous donation of the tree from John and Kim Daugherty. The tree is coming from their tree farm.”
The tree was delivered last Friday morning and Orr and Bowen went right to work on decorating the tree.
“We are hoping to run this from Friday, Nov. 30, until Jan. 2,” said Orr.
For more information, people can contact the Knox Police Department at (814) 797-1100.