As Christmas season approaches and gift giving and sharing with others is contemplated, I would like to share a list of items which for an elderly person, parent or struggling family would make welcome gifts:

1. ‘AAA’ membership card in case of emergency auto trouble – $56/yr

2. N.W. Air emergency flight membership for family – $76/yr

3. Pre-paid phone card from Costco – $25=700 min.

4. Pay several months basic phone bill – $25/mo

5. Pay a month or two to electric company – $100/mo

6. Pay money toward propane bill – $50

7. Pay money toward water/sewer bill – $50

8. Pay for some months garbage pick-up – $35/mo

9. Donate some hours helping the homebuilders ‘Doing the Homes for Islanders on North Beach Rd. – $0

10. Sponsor a child through World Vision 1-888-511-6511 – $35/mo

Gift ideas: Emergency plug-in flashlight that goes on when power goes off. A box with multiple vitamins, shampoo, conditioner, dish soap, laundry soap, bleach, plastic laundry bags. Or a box of multiple sizes of batteries for toys, clocks, phones, remotes, flashlights.Or packages of new shoe strings for tennis shoes.

Merry Christmas and happy giving.

Carolyn Carroll

Eastsound