Lincoln County Christmas will sponsor a toy giveaway next month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars club in Libby.

Lincoln County’s annual “Christmas is for Kids” program ended after 12 years with the passing of its director, Star Phillips, who passed away from lung cancer on March 12. As a result, Lincoln County residents banded together to serve Lincoln County during the holidays as the volunteer non-profit organization, Lincoln County Christmas.

The organization consists of former members of Christmas is for Kids, including Ronda Ames-Kair, Karen Stehlik, Michelle Freese and Lynn Sather-Diller. 

As with Christmas is for Kids, Lincoln County Christmas seeks to provide toys for less fortunate children in Lincoln County. Members of the organization want each child to have at least one toy to open on Christmas Day. 

The program is mostly funded by donations. Members of the organization urge anyone wishing to donate to do so either directly to their account at Glacier Bank, or by getting in touch with one of them. At this time, the organization is accepting donations of money or new toys not exceeding $20 in value.

Lincoln County Christmas will use the donations to fund their toy giveaway at the VFW on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 9 a.m.

All donations are tax deductible, and members of the organization can provide receipts upon request.

Last year, “Christmas is for Kids,” gave toys to approximately 430 children aged 18 and under, and the number of children they aim to help continues to grow.