Clydesdale going to Smithville with holiday food, gifts


Thursday, December 8, 2011
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Clydesdale going to Smithville with holiday food, gifts

By SUE WATSON
Staff Writer

This is another unusual Christmas for the Clydesdale Christmas Store, which will share its 17th store with the 900 families of Smithville.

The town was wiped out by an April tornado with virtually all buildings gone. City hall is set up in a FEMA trailer.

The Clydesdale committee decided earlier this year to serve dinner to the town’s residents and provide entertainment and Christmas gifts for the children. The store went to Waveland in 2005 following the Hurricane Katrina disaster on the Gulf Coast.

The National Guard Armory near Smithville will provide space for the store to be set up for Smithville families.

Locally, the Clydesdale Store will celebrate Christmas with the Hernando/Holly Springs National Guard Armory troops and their families by providing a holiday dinner and entertainment for the children.

The store began seasonal events, send-off parties and welcoming home events for soldiers in the two Armory units that deployed to Iraq at the opening of the war and has celebrated with those troops who also served tours in Afghanistan.

The store also provides gifts for persons in local care facilities who do not have family visits at Christmas.

Tax-deductible donations are always accepted year-round to provide plenty of money or goods to give away to those worthy and in need. The Clydesdale Christmas Store is a non-profit.

“I want to thank the Olive Branch Walmart Store, which donated $2,500 and four shopping baskets filled with toys to us this year,” Luther said.

Besides presenting gifts to children, a Christmas party complete with balloons, magic, live musicians, and faithful Ole St. Nick is always a part of the party, as well as snacks for the families.

Residents of Smithville will be treated to a dinner prepared by Clydesdale Christmas Store volunteers. Some of the city’s most coveted catering groups will be preparing baked cookies for the children in Smithville.

The party for the troops will include a dinner for the military families, entertainment for the children, door prizes for the soldiers and a drawing for a swimming pool and televisions. This is the second year that a blue pool will be donated by Doug Hollowell with Doughboy Pools, for the drawing, Luther said.

Those who wish to gift the store before this season is over may send donations to Brenda Luther, 843 Peyton Road, Holly Springs, MS 38635.

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