Holiday season starting early at Front Royal Rotary; donations sought for kids’ winter coats and Christmas cheer food for needy families

With about two months to go, the Rotary Club of Front Royal is already gearing up for the holiday season.

For the third straight year, Front Royal Rotary is adding “coats for kids” to its annual Christmas food distribution, called the Doc Smith Christmas Basket Program that dates back to 1916 and is named for a Front Royal police chief back in the day.

According to club President Derrick Leasure, the program provides basic food staples to families in need “to make sure they have a traditional Christmas dinner.” Last Christmas 120 boxes of food were delivered along with 80 winter coats for children in need, identified by the Warren County Department of Social Services.

Front Royal Rotary President Derrick Leasure – Courtesy Photo/FR Rotary

Former County Administrator Doug Stanley, who again heads up fundraising efforts for the local Rotary, said the goal this year is to provide up to 150 coats along with an additional number of food baskets and that cash donations are already welcome. For the coats alone, he said about $3,000 is needed. He reminded that “your donation of just $20 will buy a child a new coat.”

Said Social Services Director Jon Martz, “The Warren County Department of Social Services is proud to be a partner in such a meaningful and important project. It is another example of community members coming together to meet the needs of our most vulnerable citizens.”

Donations may be made at the Warren County Administration Office, 220 North Commerce Avenue, Suite 100, and at various government and business locations throughout the town.

For additional information, contact Michelle Smeltzer, County Community Liaison, at (540) 892-6108 or michelle.smeltzer@dss.virginia.gov