Warm the Children just shy of 2010 goal

WILLMAR -- One week into the new year, the 2010 Warm the Children campaign is just short of its goal of $39,000.

Donations to-date total $38,892 from upwards of 510 individual donations, including some 73 anonymous donations. Last year, the Warm the Children campaign took in $40,004, exceeding a goal of $38,000.

The 2010 campaign has helped to provide warm winter clothing for more than 450 children throughout the west central region.

In its 17th year, the Warm the Children campaign has helped some 5,948 children from an estimated 2,195 families over the past 16 years.

All donations, 100 percent, go to help the children. The program is administered through the West Central Tribune, in partnership with Main Street Willmar, with assistance from area social service agencies and schools making referrals. The families are then taken shopping in order to purchase warm winter clothing for the chil