First United Methodist Church United Methodist Women and employees of the Jackson County Department of Human Services are teaming together to provide Christmas gifts for low income and needy children within the county.

The local DHS employees learned several months ago that there was not going to be an organized Toys for Tots drive in Altus this year. They began looking for ways to fill this need and have even conducted fund raisers among themselves to purchase a few toys.

The Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church has been named a distributor of 180,000 gifts which have been collected nation wide through a private organization. They needed an avenue to distribute the gifts across the state and the First UMC of Altus was given a chance to receive a portion of these gifts for low income children. A Christmas miracle happened. DHS employees and First UMC members have teamed up for Project Noel.

Although it is not yet known exactly what gifts will be received, both groups are trusting that the needy children of Jackson County will have a happy Christmas.

Applications for Project Noel will be accepted beginning Dec. 3 Monday through Friday during regular office hours at the Jackson County Department of Human Services, 201 S. Main. The deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Parents or guardians of children ages infant to 17 may apply. To see if you qualify please bring in current copies of your pay check stubs or income for the month of November. Gifts will be distributed Saturday, Dec. 22 at First United Methodist Church, 317 N. Main. Adults must bring the voucher they will be given to the Church to pick up the gifts for their children. For more information contact the Department of Human Services at 580-480-3400.