WJBC Brotherhood Tree needs more donations

The WJBC Brotherhood Tree provided gifts to more than 7,000 people last year. (WJBC file photo)

By Joe Ragusa

BLOOMINGTON – Organizers are pushing for more donations to the 2014 WJBC Brotherhood Tree.

Spokesman Bob Bradley told WJBC's Scott Laughlin Wednesday morning that donations are needed for children ages 9-to-12, teenagers and adults of both genders.

"We need more gifts," said Bradley. "The 'secret elves' out there that do the shopping and the people that ultimately depend on this to get something for Christmas, we need some help."

Bradley said monetary donations are also needed to help the Brotherhood Tree's assistant shoppers.

"The shoppers have been doing this long enough that now, the retail stores recognize them and actually go out of there way to help them," said Bradley. "(Retailers) point them to items that they know are affordable but would be nice gifts to have during the holidays."

The effort served more than 7,000 people, or 1,200 families, last year.

A list of where to drop off gifts or donate money can be found here.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…